Power to Explore Student Challenge
K-12 students, your Power to Explore contest challenge is to plan a mission that uses Radioisotope Power Systems to explore a dark, dusty, or far away place in our solar system.
Nine Finalists Advance in NASA’s Power to Explore Challenge
NASA has named nine finalists out of the 45 semifinalist student essays in the Power to Explore Challenge, a national writing competition for K-12 students featuring the enabling power of radioisotopes. Contestants were challenged to explore how NASA has powered some of its most famous science missions, and to dream up how their personal “superpowers” would energize their success on their own radioisotope-powered science mission. Winners will be announced on May 7.
Grades K-4
- Mini M, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Zachary Tolchin, Guilford, Connecticut
- Terry Xu, Arcadia, California
Grades 5-8
- Lilah Coyan, Spokane, Washington
- Maggie Hou, Snohomish, Washington
- Sarabhesh Saravanakumar, Bothell, Washington
Grades 9-12
- Faiz Karim, Jericho, New York
- Kairat Otorov, Trumbull, Connecticut
- Saanvi Shah, Bothell, Washington
About the Challenge
The challenge is funded by the Radioisotope Power Systems Program Office in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and administered by Future Engineers under a Small Business Innovation Research phase III contract. This task is managed by the NASA Tournament Lab, a part of the Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing Program in NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.
Power to Explore Student Essay Challenge 2025
UPDATE: This year's Power to Explore Student Challenge closed on February 9, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Did you know that our solar system boasts nearly 300 moons, many of which remain mysteries to us? These moons provide an incredible opportunity for discovery. Radioisotope Power Systems, a type of nuclear "battery," have powered missions near Jupiter's moon Io, where over 400 active volcanoes were revealed; Saturn's dusty moon Titan, where it helped uncover its methane lakes, oceans, and rivers; and Pluto's moon Charon, where NASA recently discovered jagged mountains and deep canyons.
If you could plan an RPS-powered mission to any moon in our solar system, which moon would you choose to unravel its mysteries?
NASA wants to know what you plan to explore, the discoveries you hope to make, and how you would use this special power to achieve mission success.
Your entry should address the topics below:
- Dark, dusty, or distant mission destination: Tell us which moon your RPS-powered space mission will go and describe your mission goal(s). Keep in mind that your mission can either flyby, orbit, land, or rove.
- Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS): Explain the importance and advantages of using RPS for this mission. How does this technology overcome the challenges of these extreme environments and destinations?
- Your power: NASA missions are also powered by people – from mission planning and development, to designing, launching, and operating a spacecraft. Tell us what you think your unique power is and how your special power will help you achieve mission success. Your power could be a skill, personality trait, or other personal strength that is uniquely you.
