2026 Finalist Teams

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with Cecil College Maryland

Advancing Aircraft Maintenance, Smart Mechanic Glasses

Manhattan University

A.E.R.I.S – Aircraft Enhance Resilience and Intelligence System

Michigan State University
Surface Evaluation Network or Tethered Inspection and Nondestructive Evaluation (SENTINEL)

South Dakota State University
WINGMAN

South Dakota State University
Surface Preservation and Rust Killer (S.P.A.R.K.) Crawler

South Dakota State University
S.P.I.D.E.R. Surveying Platform and Inspection Device for Enclosed Regions

University of California, Irvine
Air SHIELD: Aircraft Structural Health Intelligence for Evaluation and Lifecycle Detection

University of Maryland Eastern Shore
APU Sentinel: A Self-Supervised Learning Framework for APU Fuel Control Unit Health Management in Aircraft

View the NASA FEATURE STORY ANNOUNCING FINALISTS

2026 MEDIA COVERAGE

NASA Feature Story Coverage: 

Other Coverage: 

Read the NASA Article ANNOUNCING the winners

Auburn University

“Proactive Resource Efficiency via Coordinated Imaging and Sprayer Execution (PRECISE)”
Faculty Advisor: Tanzeel Rehman

Boston University

“PLAANT: Precision Land Analysis and Aerial Nitrogen Treatment”
Faculty Advisor: James Geiger

** Best Technical Paper**

Columbia University

“PH-LORA: Pheromonal Localized Overpopulation Regulation Aircraft”
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mike Massimino

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical university

“Sky Shepherd: Autonomous Aerial Cattle Monitoring”
Faculty Advisor: Claudia Ehringer Lucas

Houston Community College

“Hog Aerial Mitigation System (H.A.M.S)”      Faculty Advisor: Robert Frederick

South Dakota State University

“Soil Testing and Plant Leaf Extraction Drone (STaPLE)“
Faculty Advisor: Todd Letcher

** First Place **

University of California, Davis

“Robobees“
Faculty Advisor: Zhaodan Kong

UNIVERSITY OF Tulsa

“CattleLog Cattle Management System“
Faculty Advisor: Marie Moran

** Second Place **

2025 MEDIA COVERAGE

NASA Feature Story Coverage: 

Other Coverage: