# NASA opens $500,000 orbital-drag measurement challenge

_Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT · Science · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![NASA opens $500,000 orbital-drag measurement challenge — Primary](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/techleap-logo-466.png)

NASA opened its Orbital Clarity Challenge, seeking low-cost ways to measure thermospheric density, pressure or drag in low Earth orbit. The three-phase TechLeap competition may award up to four winners up to $500,000 in prizes and aims to advance selected concepts to flight-ready solutions within 12 months. NASA intends to offer each winning team a no-cost test flight. Registration for the first phase closes October 28.

## Sources

- [NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/prizes-challenges-crowdsourcing-program/nasa-techleap-prize-orbital-clarity-challenge/)

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Retrieved: 2026-08-19T23:38:10.795Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)