XR Club
NASA SUITS

NASA SUITS Application Form 2026–2027

Want to create an augmented reality interface for astronauts exploring the Moon during a simulated lunar EVA? Fill out the form below! If our proposal is selected, the seven members of our team will have the opportunity to fly out to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston in May 2027 to test and showcase our system to NASA engineers in a simulated lunar EVA.

Please note that this is a year long commitment. The team works together from the fall semester through winter break and the spring semester, ending with onsite testing in Houston in May 2027.

We’re looking to put together a diverse team with a wide range of experiences and skill sets, so feel free to apply even if you don’t have a ton of prior experience with XR development!

The application process will have two rounds. The first round will be based on your written application. Candidates selected to move forward will be invited to a second round interview. If you are not invited to an interview, it means we have decided to move forward with other applicants. The interview gives us a chance to get to know you better and gives you the opportunity to ask us questions about the challenge and the team.

Applications close on September 24. We review applications on a rolling basis, so if you submit early, choose interview times earlier in the window and we can meet with you sooner.

This year’s NASA SUITS Challenge focuses on developing spacesuit user interfaces, navigation systems, voice assistants, and AI and ML tools to help astronauts safely and efficiently complete tasks while exploring the lunar surface.

Potential Areas of Contribution

The areas below are not fixed positions, and you are not applying for one specific role. These are some of the areas we need to keep in mind when putting together our team. Members may contribute across multiple areas depending on their skills, interests, and what the project needs.

XR Interface Development
Build the heads up display the astronaut wears, including live suit telemetry, task procedures, scientific information, alerts, and passthrough AR.
Navigation Systems
Design the mapping and wayfinding system, including a 2D minimap, route planning across sites, navigation aids, and a breadcrumb trail back to the lander.
AI and ML
Integrate AI as a decision support layer, including predictive oxygen and consumables modeling, route optimization, autonomous features, and safety guardrails on model output.
Systems Integration
Connect the interface to NASA’s live telemetry server, integrate the natural language voice assistant, connect different components of the system, and ensure reliability during testing.
UX and Human Factors
Run human in the loop studies with real users, define usability metrics, evaluate the interface, and validate display legibility under simulated lunar low light conditions.
Outreach and Communications
Build the community and industry engagement program, manage sponsor and partner relationships, and produce the team’s documentation, presentations, and demo media.

Your full name.

Discord will be the primary way the team communicates, so make sure this is the account you check.

Year *

Note: Not your credit standing.

Resume

Optional. PDF, up to 10 MB.

or drop it here

Optional. Feel free to share anything that helps us see your previous work.

Short answers

0 / 150 words

0 / 150 words

What was your role and how did you contribute? How did you communicate and collaborate with your teammates, especially when you encountered disagreements, setbacks, or challenges?

0 / 150 words

NASA SUITS will require seven students with different backgrounds and skill sets to work closely together throughout the year. Describe how you approach working with others, including communication, accountability, feedback, supporting teammates, and resolving disagreements.

0 / 150 words

Interests

Which areas of NASA SUITS are you most interested in contributing to? *

Select all that apply. These are not fixed roles. Your selections simply help us understand your interests and how we might build a well rounded team.

Availability

How many hours per week are you realistically willing to dedicate to this project? *

NASA SUITS is a long term commitment spanning this semester, winter break, and next semester, with onsite testing at Johnson Space Center in May 2027.

This could include winter break, study abroad, internships, major competitions, heavy academic periods, or other commitments.

Are you able to attend the required NASA SUITS dates? *

NASA requires all participants to attend Orientation on December 10, 2026 at 4:00 PM CST and the Virtual Software Design Review on April 1, 2027.

Are you a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident? *

NASA requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency to attend test week onsite at Johnson Space Center. If that does not apply to you, you can still be a full member of the team for the rest of the year. You would just not travel for the onsite testing.

Interview Availability *

We will be conducting short interviews with applicants. Please let us know when you are free during the listed interview times.

Candidates selected from the written application will be invited to a second round interview. The interview gives us a chance to get to know you better and gives you the opportunity to ask us questions about the challenge and the team.

Interviews take place between Friday, September 18 and Friday, September 25, over Zoom. Tap every hour you could make. All times are Eastern.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. If you are submitting early, pick times earlier in the window so we can schedule your interview sooner.

No times selected yet.

Feel free to include anything that wasn’t covered elsewhere in the application.

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