During Payload Build Round 1, winners have the opportunity to compete for an additional award of $200,000 each and to proceed to Payload Build Round 2.
Winners participate in regular conference calls to present their plans for payload development and progress to date. Field judges will conduct a virtual or on-site visit in November 2025 to score the progress each winner has made (timeline subject to change and final due dates will be shared with winners prior to the start of Payload Build Round 1).
Scoring criteria for Payload Build Round 1 is described below. Winners must receive at least 80 points to receive the $200,000 award for this round and to proceed to Payload Build Round 2.
