A South Dakota State University team’s 'Soil Testing and Plant Leaf Extraction Drone' project secured first place in NASA's 2025 Gateways to Blue Skies Competition, showcasing practical, earth-bound innovations emerging from aeronautics programs. In 2026, eight student teams, including three from South Dakota State University, were selected as finalists, each receiving a $9,000 prize to cover travel costs, according to SDSU.

Despite its aspirational name, 'Gateways to Blue Skies,' the competition's winning projects frequently focus on terrestrial applications such as agriculture and cattle management. This focus creates a tension between the competition's celestial branding and its practical, ground-level outcomes.

These competitions are not just about future space travel; they actively seed practical, drone-based solutions for immediate societal and economic challenges on Earth, indicating a broader strategic shift in aeronautics focus.

  • Eight student teams were selected as finalists in the 2026 Gateways to Blue Skies Competition, according to NASA.
  • Each of the eight finalist teams will receive a $9,000 prize.
  • Three South Dakota State University teams qualified for the finals of the Gateways to Blue Skies competition, managed by the National Institute of Aerospace on behalf of NASA, according to SDSU.
  • The $9,000 award for each of the eight finalist teams will cover the cost of the teams' trip, according to SDSU.

From Soil Drones to Cattle Management: Past Winners and Future Showcases

A South Dakota State University team achieved first place at NASA's fifth annual Gateways to Blue Skies Competition for their "Soil Testing and Plant Leaf Extraction Drone" project, according to NASA. The 2025 winning project, a "Soil Testing and Plant Leaf Extraction Drone" by South Dakota State University, highlights the competition's emphasis on practical, agricultural applications.

The University of Tulsa secured second place for their "CattleLog Cattle Management System" in the same 2025 competition, according to NASA. Both projects underscore a focus on immediate, terrestrial challenges rather than traditional aerospace endeavors, providing concrete drone-based solutions for industries like agriculture and livestock.