NASA published a list of researchers selected under its Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities (NSTGRO) program for 2026. The September 29 posting names graduate students and their universities alongside the topics of their proposed work.

The topics span a wide range of space technology areas. Several concern lunar operations, including origami-inspired lattice architectures for robotic assembly, molten regolith electrolysis, regolith terramechanics, and autonomous planning for cargo transport and construction. Others address in-space docking, cislunar navigation and trajectory design, and multi-agent robotic operations.

Power, thermal and propulsion questions also feature prominently. Listed subjects include a compact magnetic heat switch, near-field thermophotovoltaics, spray cooling for propellant tanks, vapor core nuclear reactors with magnetohydrodynamic power conversion, and modeling of detonation and turbopump cavitation.

The listing also covers optical communications, X-ray navigation sensors, radiation-resistant materials, solid-state batteries for low-temperature use, and models of atmospheric entry.