Young Astronaut Day 2025: Back to the Moon

Welcome to Young Astronaut Day 2025!

Join us at the Ohio Aerospace Institute for a full day of teamwork, problem solving, and space themed 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 “Back to the Moon” highlights the upcoming Artemis II mission, humanity’s next step in returning to the Moon and on to Mars. Students will explore how far we have come since Apollo and where the next generation will take us.

Participants will:

• Hear a keynote address from a professional engineer sharing insights on the future of aerospace and space exploration

• 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

• High school students will take part in a drone activity led by Critical Ops LLC, gaining hands on experience with unmanned aerial systems and exploring how drone technology connects to aerospace and future flight

Hosted by the AIAA Northern Ohio Section in partnership with the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI), the Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC), and Critical Ops LLC, 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.