Top 10 StellarXplorers Teams Head to National Finals Competition 

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 22-24, 2026.  

Out of 388 teams that entered the competition, these standout groups battled through the four intense online rounds to secure their place at the finals in Denver, Colo., where they’ll tackle the season’s ultimate challenge. Representing eight high schools and two Civil Air Patrol squadrons across seven states, each team brings its own unique journey. Despite their different paths, they all share one common objective: earning the title of National Champion. 

The National Finalists include:  

• California Academy of Mathematics & Science (Carson, Calif.)

• Capt. Bud Jackson Composite Squadron CAP (Edison, N.J.) 

• Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron CAP (Colorado Springs, Colo.) 

• East View High School Navy JROTC (Georgetown, Texas) 

• Fullerton Union High School (Fullerton, Calif.) 

• Great Mills High School (Great Mills, Md.) 

• James Bowie High School Air Force JROTC (Austin, Texas) 

• Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (Rolling Hills Estate, Calif.) 

• Pope John Paul II High School (Lacey, Wash.) 

• Woodward High School (Woodward, Okla.) 

“The announcement of our National Finalists is always an exciting milestone for the program. Every team has dedicated countless hours of hard work throughout the season, which makes it especially rewarding to recognize the ten teams advancing to the final stage of competition,” said StellarXplorers Director Rebecca Dalton. “This year is particularly exciting, as six of the teams will be representing their schools or organizations at the event for the very first time.” 

The 10 finalist teams will face the ultimate task of 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. They will also have to complete an academic quiz.  

The event will culminate at the StellarXplorers Awards Banquet on the evening of April 24, where the winners will be crowned. 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, Nova Space, Ansys, United Launch Alliance, the Bahethi Family Foundation, BAE Systems, and General Atomics Sciences Education Foundation.  

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

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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 the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Space Force, 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 130,000 members and 200 chapters spread around the world, our mission is to promote dominant U.S. Air Force and Space Force 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.