32nd Annual Young Astronaut Day
About this Event
Overview
Celebrate the next chapter of human space exploration with Young Astronaut Day 2026: Life Beyond Earth, a full day of space-themed challenges, teamwork, engineering, and exploration.
Welcome to Young Astronaut Day!
Join us at the Ohio Aerospace Institute for a full day of teamwork, problem solving, and hands-on space challenges. Since 1992, Young Astronaut Day has inspired students across Northern Ohio to think like engineers, collaborate like astronauts, and imagine their own role in the future of space exploration.
This year’s theme, “Life Beyond Earth,” celebrates the success of Artemis II while looking ahead to Artemis III and the future of human exploration beyond Earth. Returning people to the Moon is one part of a much larger challenge. Future explorers will need to understand how to travel, live, work, and operate far from home.
Throughout the day, students will take on challenges inspired by the real engineering problems behind human spaceflight, including spacecraft, habitats, life support, robotics, energy, exploration, and the systems needed to support people beyond Earth.
The Moon is one step in that journey. Mars and destinations farther out present even greater challenges. The next chapter of human space exploration is being written now, and today’s young astronauts may be the ones who carry humanity beyond Earth.
Participants will:
• Hear a mission brief sharing insights on the future of aerospace and space exploration and how they can be a part of it!
• Work in teams to solve hands on engineering design challenges
• Explore concepts tied to real lunar missions and future exploration
• Learn directly from aerospace professionals and volunteers from across the region
• Compete for recognition while building teamwork, creativity, and problem solving skills
Hosted by the AIAA Northern Ohio Section in partnership with the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) and the Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC), with the support of dedicated volunteers from the aerospace community, this event is perfect for students eager to discover how science and imagination power the future of spaceflight.
Do not miss this opportunity to launch into a day of discovery, collaboration, and inspiration, because the journey to the Moon and on to Mars begins here.
IMPORTANT: Pilots and Mission Specialists teams will be limited to five students and two chaperones per team due to venue capacity.
Agenda
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Team Check In
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
YAD Intro and Mission Brief
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Group Picture
🕑: 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Mission Patch Contest
🕑: 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Team Activity Period
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:45 PM
Awards Ceremony
🕑: 04:45 PM - 05:00 PM
Clean Up, Team Photos and Dismissal
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:00 PM
Activity Brief
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 200.00
