NASA opened the Orbital Clarity Challenge, the sixth in its TechLeap Prize series, on August 19, 2026, according to the agency. The challenge, a collaboration among NASA's Heliophysics Division, Flight Opportunities program and Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation, called for low-cost methods of measuring thermospheric density, pressure or drag in low Earth orbit.

The agency said it sought approaches inexpensive and scalable enough to be produced in quantity and flown as hosted payloads across the commercial fleet. The challenge was planned across three phases, with up to four winners' concepts advanced to a flight-ready solution within 12 months. NASA said it intends to offer each winning team a test flight at no cost at the conclusion of the challenge.

Up to four winners may receive up to $500,000 in prizes across three phases. Phase 1 registration was set to close October 28, 2026, and Phase 1 submissions November 11, 2026.