In our Northrop Grumman Foundation Mission Debriefing Challenge, modeled after the same rules used at the International Rocketry Challenge Presentation Competition, your team will have to create a presentation that succinctly explains how you came to your design, how you conducted and utilized your test flight information, and what lessons your team learned in not just rocketry, but also teamwork.

A top award of $3,000 will be presented to the winning team, as judged by a panel of National Association of Rocketry Experts! There is also a $1,500 for second place.

Having trouble remembering all the rocket science you used to make your calculations? Head over to our Resources Page to refresh your memory. There, you’ll find plenty of articles and lessons covering all aspects of rocketry to help make sure you’re referencing the right formulas in your presentation!

Since your presentation requires showing test flight data, only teams that have completed at least three test flights, successful or not, are eligible to enter. These test flights can be from anytime after June 3, 2025.

All entries will be scored based on six equally weighted categories, listed in the rules.  Need some inspiration as you work on your team’s debriefing? Click here to see the winning 2025 presentation! (pdf)

Check out the Northrop Grumman Foundation 2026 Mission Debriefing Challenge rules:

Submit Your 2026 Northrop Grumman Foundation Mission Debriefing Challenge Entry!

All entries are due April 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

Live presentations for the top 5 submissions will be held on Saturday afternoon, May 2, 2026.

2025 Presentation Competition Winners

Check out the winning entries from the 2025 Presentation Competition (click links to download the pdfs):

• First Place: Girl Scouts Troop 76141 (Plainfield, IL) – $3,000
• Second Place: 4-H Wake County (Cary, NC) – $1,500
• Best First-time Team: 4-H Wake County (Cary, NC) – $500

2024 Presentation Competition Winners

Check out the winning entries from the 2024 Presentation Competition (click links to download the pdfs):

• First Place: St. Monica’s Home School (Ridgefield, CT) – $3,000
• Second Place: Milpitas High School (Milpitas, CA) – $1,500
• Best First Time Team: Girl Scouts Troop 76141 (Plainfield, IL) – $500

2023 Presentation Competition Winners

Check out the winning entries from the 2023 Presentation Competition (click links to download the pdfs):

• First Place: Sato Academy, Long Beach, CA – $3,000
• Second Place: Copley High School, Copley, OH – $1,500
• Best First Time Team: Copley High School, Copley, OH – $500

Prior Presentation Competition Winners

Check out the winning entries from the 2022 and 2021 Presentation Competition (click links to download the pdfs):

• 2022 – First Place: Cary Academy, Cary, NC – $3,000

• 2021 – First Place: Northville High School, Northville, MI – $3,000