NASA, in partnership with Space Center Houston, is launching an exciting and creative challenge for K-12 students across the United States. Students are invited to design a patch for NASA’s Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) Campaign 8 missions, scheduled to begin in 2026. This opportunity allows students to blend art, science, and imagination in support of NASA’s efforts to prepare for future human exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
This hands-on contest offers young learners a chance to contribute to real-world space science while learning about teamwork, design thinking, and the future of human spaceflight.
What is HERA?
HERA, short for Human Exploration Research Analog, is a unique research habitat located at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The facility is a two-and-a-half story, 650-square-foot environment designed to simulate the isolation, confinement, and remote conditions that astronauts will face on long-duration space missions, such as trips to the Moon and Mars.
Beginning in 2026, HERA will host four 45-day simulated missions as part of Campaign 8. During each of these missions, a crew of four volunteers will live and work inside the HERA habitat, completely isolated from the outside world. The mission includes communication delays with mission control, requiring the crew to operate with a high degree of autonomy just like astronauts on future deep-space missions.
These simulations help NASA researchers study the psychological, behavioral, and physiological effects of long-term space travel. The data collected is essential to developing technologies and protocols that ensure astronaut well-being on future Moon and Mars missions.
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Overview of Patch Design Challenge:
NASA and Space Center Houston are calling on creative and curious students to submit a design for the official Campaign 8 mission patch. This patch will symbolize the goals, challenges, and spirit of exploration associated with HERA missions and will be displayed on the habitat during all four Campaign 8 missions.
Who Can Participate?
The patch design contest is open to all U.S. students enrolled in grades K-12 during the 2025-2026 school year. Entries will be judged in three grade-level categories:
· Grades K-4.
· Grades 5-8.
· Grades 9-12.
One grand prize winner will be selected from among the three category winners.
Submission Guidelines:
Students can submit their patch design individually or as a class project. Each entry should represent the spirit and scientific focus of HERA’s Campaign 8. File formats accepted:
- .jpg
- .jpeg
- .png
- .doc
Judging and Prizes:
Entries will be evaluated by HERA mission managers based on creativity, relevance to the mission themes, and visual impact. Winners will be announced before the end of 2025.
· Category Winners (K-4, 5-8, 9-12):
Each will receive a virtual tour of the HERA facility, offering a behind-the-scenes look at NASA’s analog missions and deep space research.
· Grand Prize Winner:
The selected student will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with a NASA graphic designer to refine and finalize their design. The completed patch will then be featured on the HERA facility during all Campaign 8 missions in 2026 and 2027 an once-in-a-lifetime honor.
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Scientific Focus of HERA Campaign 8:
Campaign 8 of the HERA program focuses on simulating future crewed missions to the Moon. Each mission in this campaign helps scientists explore critical research themes relevant to deep space travel:
1. Crew Autonomy and Communication Delays:
On the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts can speak with mission control almost instantly. However, future Moon and Mars missions will involve significant communication delays. HERA studies aim to evaluate how crews make independent decisions and solve problems under these constraints.
Researchers will also explore the use of emerging technologies, including:
- Artificial intelligence (AI).
- Augmented reality (AR).
- Decision-support systems.
These tools could help astronauts operate more efficiently and safely during periods of low connectivity.
2. Behavioral Health and Physiological Impact:
Extended missions in isolated environments can affect both mental well-being and physical health. In HERA, researchers assess:
- Stress levels.
- Mood and emotional stability.
- Cognitive function.
- Physical performance.
Strategies such as enhanced exercise routines, sensory stimulation, and personalized motivation techniques will be tested to help crews stay healthy in space.
3. Teamwork and Cross-Cultural Dynamics:
NASA missions often include astronauts from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. In HERA, teams simulate these dynamics to study:
- Team cohesion.
- Communication patterns.
- Conflict resolution.
- Collaborative decision-making.
These studies will help NASA develop best practices for managing diverse, high-performing teams in remote environments.
4. Sleep Quality and Cognitive Performance:
Sleep plays a vital role in astronaut health. In HERA, participants track their sleep duration and quality, while researchers monitor how it affects:
- Mood and alertness.
- Reaction time.
- Task performance.
This data will guide NASA in creating strategies to manage sleep schedules and counteract disruptions caused by stress or environmental factors.
Educational Impact and STEM Engagement:
This patch design challenge is more than an art contest—it's a gateway to STEM education and space exploration literacy. By encouraging students to explore the themes of space missions, NASA and Space Center Houston aim to:
· Inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts.
· Promote creative thinking alongside technical understanding.
· Foster interest in space sciences, engineering, psychology, and technology.
· Teachers are encouraged to incorporate this challenge into classroom activities, linking it with lessons on the solar system, biology, technology, and human spaceflight.
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Why Participate?
This challenge provides students with an unmatched opportunity to:
· Learn about real NASA missions.
· Combine artistic expression with scientific exploration.
· Gain exposure to real-world research themes in spaceflight.
· See their work displayed at one of NASA’s most advanced research facilities.
· Winning entries not only receive prizes but also earn recognition from NASA professionals and gain national visibility.
Applications Deadline for Submissions:
All designs must be submitted by Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Students and teachers can upload their submissions directly through Space Center Houston's official submission portal.
Conclusion:
NASA’s HERA Campaign 8 patch design challenge is an opportunity for young minds to be part of something larger the future of human space exploration. It’s a celebration of creativity, scientific curiosity, and the collaborative spirit that defines NASA’s mission. Don’t miss the chance to have your artwork inspire astronauts and researchers during one of NASA’s most crucial analog missions. Let your imagination reach for the Moon literally. So to apply and know more visit the NASA’s HERA Campaign 8 patch design challenge official link here.