StellarXplorers 2024-2025 Finalists Are Headed to Denver!

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 24, 2025—The Air & Space Forces Association’s StellarXplorers Space STEM program announced the 10 teams that will compete at the StellarXplorers National Finals Competition on April 23-25.  

From an initial field of 375 teams, these top performers advanced through four highly competitive online rounds to earn an all-expenses-paid trip to Denver, Colo., to complete their final mission of the season. They come from seven high schools, one middle school, and two Civil Air Patrol Squadrons and represent six different states. While each team might have a different backstory, they’re all coming to the event with the same goal of claiming the National Champion title. 

The National Finalists include:  

• Aurora Composite Squadron (Portland, Ore.) 
• Brambleton Middle School (Brambleton, Va.) 
• Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron (Colorado Springs, Colo.) 
• Francis Tuttle Technology Center (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 
• Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (Rolling Hills Estate, Calif.) 
• South High School – Torrance (Torrance, Calif.) 
• The Science Academy STEM Magnet (North Hollywood, Calif.) 
• Troy High School Navy JROTC (Fullerton, Calif.) 
• Valencia High School Air Force JROTC (Valencia, Calif.) 
• West Aurora High School (Aurora, Ill.) 

“The hard work and dedication of our teams never ceases to amaze me,” StellarXplorers Director Rebecca Dalton said. “This year is particularly special as we are celebrating several program milestones: the first-ever middle school team, the first-ever all-female team, and the first-ever Navy JROTC unit have all qualified for the National Finals. These accomplishments reflect the growing diversity and talent in the space community, and I’m incredibly proud of what these students have achieved. I look forward to seeing them shine as they take on this exciting challenge.” 

The 10 finalist teams will be tasked with finding an optimal solution for a mission that puts their orbit planning, satellite design, and launch vehicle operation skills to the test. Teams will present their solutions to a panel of industry experts, which will factor into their total score.  

The winners will be announced at an awards banquet on April 25. Members of the top three teams are awarded a cash prize to pursue their future STEM education and career goals.   

StellarXplorers is generously supported by Air & Space STEM Outreach, L3Harris Technologies, Lockheed Martin, Nova Space, Ansys, United Launch Alliance, the Bahethi Family Foundation, BAE Systems, BlueHalo, and General Atomics Sciences Education Foundation.  

To learn more about StellarXplorers, please visit www.stellarxplorers.org or contact info@stellarxplorers.org.   

About StellarXplorers 

The StellarXplorers Space STEM Program, created by the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA), inspires high school and middle school students toward careers in space and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future. The StellarXplorers National Space Design Competition provides specific training in the use of system simulation software, Systems Tool Kit (STK), as well as an interactive online course as a curriculum supplement and study resource for online quizzes given during the competition. 

About AFA 

The Air & Space Forces Association is an independent, non-profit 501(c)3 association dedicated to advocating for investment and support for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, and for supporting Airmen, Guardians, and their Families. Founded in 1946, AFA is the single largest entity of its kind focused on air and space power. With more than 120,000 members and 200 chapters spread around the world, our mission is to promote dominant U.S. Air and Space Forces as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and to remember and respect the enduring heritage of the Air and Space Forces.