AVA Challenge 2026 :
Home on the Moon
In 2026, the Australian Virtual Astronaut Challenge participants will address key technologies identified by NASA as necessary for humans to live on the moon.
This is a FREE School Challenge, and you can join the AVA Challenge at any time throughout the year!
How do I get involved?
Introduction | Home on the Moon
Meeting the NASA Shortfalls
Long-term human habitation.
To establish a permanent lunar base, we need to solve multi-disciplinary challenges. We explore team dynamics, the engineering design process and the overall AVA Challenge framework.
Challenge 1
WHAT WE EAT
Responding to Shortfall 1525:
Food and Nutrition for Mars and Sustained Lunar
Challenge 2
WHERE WE LIVE
Responding to Shortfall 1601:
Enabling Observation of Whole Top-to-Bottom Dynamic Ecosystems
Challenge 3
GOING OUTSIDE
Responding to Shortfall 1304:
Robust, High-Progress-Rate, and Long-Distance Autonomous Surface Mobility
Learn about these challenges with Jason Crusan, CEO of AROSE
Jason spent over 20 years at NASA, serving as the Director of Advanced Exploration Systems. In that role, he was a key architect of the Artemis Program, leading the plan to return humans to the Moon and build the Lunar Gateway—a space station that will orbit the Moon and help us reach Mars.
Now, as the CEO of Australian Remote Operations for Space & Earth (AROSE), Jason bridges the gap between Earth and space. He uses Australia’s world-leading expertise in Remote Operations to help us control robots and machinery on other planets, while solving huge challenges like automation and use of remote sensing right here on Earth.
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Using AVA to support STEAM education
3 Missions, run at your own pace
In 2026, AVA will provide three missions deliverable over 8-9 weeks, and in any order – to fit your school’s terms and curriculum.
The AVA team will also schedule and run several webinars (streamed and recorded) during the year to support teachers delivering the program.
Special events and access to tools will also be included as part of the AVA program.
Who is the challenge for?
The challenge is ideal for students in Years 5 – 12 and specifically suited to students studying iSTEM, Science, Mandatory Technology, or primary science and technology classes.
There are different entry levels for the challenge:
Years 5 to 8 – junior category
Years 9 to 12 – senior category
2026 Webinars
Throughout the year are special webinars with space industry experts.
Key Information to Teachers on Delivery
This program has been designed to be delivered flexibly. Therefore teachers can use as much or as little of the materials as they wish. It could be finished in a couple of lessons or over a number of weeks.
Register your class
Be quick to register and secure your young astronauts’ place in this exciting challenge
