Houston Space Center Award
The immersive experience where science and exploration come to life.
The Houston Space Center Award is not just a recognition: it is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the heart of NASA, experience first-hand the present and future of space exploration, and acquire unique tools to lead in extreme, high-tech environments.
Who wins it
In the Earth 2026 edition, you will live this unique experience:
- The Mars Challenge winning project team.
- The MVP (Most Valuable Player) of each country chosen in the multi-country challenge.
- The Mission 1 Earth Element Mentor – the most outstanding mentor of the season.
Designed for future space leaders
This program, developed by the Human Performance Accelerator Lab (HPALab) in collaboration with Space Center Houston, combines more than 50 years of NASA research on human health and performance with immersive learning experiences.
- Direct interaction with space experts and industry leaders.
- Activities that test teamwork, resilience and problem-solving skills in high-pressure environments.
What you will experience
- Immersive experiences: interactive workshops that reproduce living and working conditions on Mars, with a practical and challenging approach.
- Exclusive access: private tours of Space Center Houston and NASA Johnson Space Center, including restricted areas such as historic Mission Control, Rocket Park and the Astronaut Training Facility.
- Hands-on training: activities inspired by astronaut training, such as weightlessness simulations, robot exercises and problem-solving dynamics.
- Interaction with experts: meetings with scientists, engineers, former astronauts and space innovation leaders.
- Celebration and reflection: an inspiring closing to recognize achievements, project the future and consolidate learning.
More than an award, a mission
Participating in the Houston Space Center Prize means entering a global community of innovators who think in dual-planet terms: how to survive on Mars and how those solutions can transform life on Earth.
Here you don’t just learn: you connect, create and return with the vision and tools to lead change.