Contents
Challenge Overview
The BWSI Challenge will focus on the Build A CubeSat project in which teams compete to develop their own 1U CubeSat to complete an space-based science research mission. Teams of roughly five students work together to develop satellite subsystems that can power and support an optical payload while analyzing data and wireless transmitting the results to a ground station.
The final competitions will be a virtual conference using student video submissions and online conferencing tools for live presentations, Q&A and Awards.
Mission: Lunar Terrain Survey for Artemis
Who: High school students in USA interested in learning about satellites! Teams of up to 5 students led by team coach (teachers, parent, etc.)
When: September through April
Resources: Online course, weekly office hours with teaching assistants, bi-weekly office hours with mentors and hardware kits for qualifying teams
Final Event: April 11 2026
Team Application Deadline: October 24 2025
How to Apply
Step 1: All potential Students, Coaches, and Mentors must register for the online course
- This course is available for independent study by individuals as well.
Step 2 for Teams: Apply Here! Application Deadline is October 24, 2025
- This form must be completed by a team coach only.
- Applications will be reviewed based on responses to questions on team application and grades from all of the team members on the first 3 modules of the online course.
For Mentors Only: Apply here! Application Deadline is November 8, 2025
Did you miss the Application Deadline? Email bwsi_bacc@mit.edu to ask about independently using our curriculum or wait for the next exciting challenge: we will be running this again soon!
Schedule Updates for Teams
| Challenge Announcement | September |
| Deadline for Team Application with Edly Modules 1-3 Complete | 10/24/2025 |
| Mentor Application Deadline | 11/08/2025 |
| Team Selection (with notification) | 11/10/2025 |
| Mentor and Team Pairing | 11/14/2025 |
| Mentor Kickoff and Due Date for all Student and Coach Release Forms | 11/15/2025 |
| Challenge Kickoff (via Zoom webinar) | 11/22/2025, 3PM EST |
| Kits will be sent out to teams | Early December |
| Weekly Office Hours with Mentors | as needed |
| Deadline for Flat Sat Challenge Photo and Judge Application | 01/09/2026 |
| Judge Kickoff | 01/17/2026 |
| Deadline for Design Review Video | 02/20/2026 |
| Deadline for Team Final Presentation Video submission | 03/20/2026 |
| Final Event (virtual) | 04/11/2026, 10am-4pm EST |
For more information, see our FAQ
CubeSat 2024-2025 Final Event Webcast
Location
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States
Contact: bwsi-admin@mit.edu
Program
