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Col Joe Kittinger National CAP AE High-Altitude Balloon Challenge for Cadets
Check out the pre-launch encouragement for the teams from CAP's Commander, Maj. Gen Regena Aye! Watch now.
Registration for the sixth annual Col Joe Kittinger CAP National AE High-Altitude Balloon Challenge (HABC) for Cadets closed May 18 (midnight local time of squadron).
Take a look at the kick-off video for the 2026 HABC.
The contest allows cadet teams to select one or more science experiments to test the effects of high altitude on that experiment to determine how humans can live and work in space. The experiments will be launched to the edge of the stratosphere in high-altitude weather balloons in August. Col. Kittinger (1928-2022), the HABC Legacy Ambassador, pictured, made the first stratospheric space dive from a high-altitude balloon in 1959 and was the benefactor of the Kittinger Cup and 5,000 team prize. Following his passing in 2022, his wife, Mrs. Joe Kittinger, has generously continued the legacy.
Registrations are time-stamped with time/zone and no late registrations will be accepted.
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The team's cadet names will not be needed to register a squadron team. The names will be requested this summer. This will give enough time to create the final team listing.
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Only one team per squadron is allowed.
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There is no limit on the number of cadets on the team, but the number should be reasonable to expect each cadet to have a part to contribute in the Challenge.
Each team should follow the 2026 Guidebook, which will provide details -- important dates, required submission information, and key information. Three deliverables, a mission patch, science research slide, and post-launch documentary video are required to win the Kittinger Cup.
SUBMISSION OF DELIVERABLES, SCORING RUBRICS, AND AI POLICY
NOTE: Three deliverables are required for 2026. Previous challenges have included two videos, but for this year, only the post-launch video will be required -- providing teams with more time for research, analysis, and other areas of the competition. Here are the Scoring Rubrics for the three deliverables:
Submissions must follow the AI Policy for HABC here. (NOTE: This includes the newest CAP pamphlet release on use of AI: CAPP 150-34, Use of Artificial Intelligence in Public-Facing Content)
Submission Links for Deliverables:
If you cannot find the answer to your question in the guidebook, contact HAB@capnhq.gov.
2026 HABC Registered Teams will be listed to track how many teams, from how many wings and in what regions including any APO team(s) registered.
LOGO AND BRANDING GUIDANCE
The following are approved CAP Flying V Logos for HABC use on research poster/slides and in video. The logos have clear background and full Civil Air Patrol name with no alternations allowed. Do not use logos on mission patches:
Vertical Black Vertical Blue Vertical White
Horizontal Black Horizontal Blue Horizontal White
2026 CAP NATIONAL CHALLENGE FOR CADETS TEAM:
Lt. Col. Liz Dunster, co-director, NCWG
Maj. Nicholas Green, co-director, NCWG
Lt. Col. Karen Cooper, administrative lead, NER Headquarters
Maj. Julie Sicks-Panus, scoring team lead, NHWG
Maj. Brent Wooters, media specialist lead, NCWG
Capt. Zach Glennon, scoring team, NHWG
2nd Lt. Brad Thompson, Indiana Wing External Aerospace Education Officer
Rolland Grayhek, NHQ/AE
Ginny Smith, NHQ/AE
David Benning, NHQ/CP
SPECIAL THANKS:
The Indiana Wing provides expansive HABC support during the annual August launch day for the overall SAR-EX, ground team (payload recovery), communications, public affairs, weather balloon launch assistance, and HABC capsule coordination/packaging. Much appreciation:
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Indiana Wing Commander, Col. Jamie Griffith, for overall wing HABC support
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Lt. Michael Dean, GLR-IN-803 Anderson Prep Academy Cadet Squadron commander - host site for launch day
Joseph William Kittinger II (born July 27, 1928, in Tampa, Florida) a former command pilot, career military officer, and retired Colonel in the United States Air Force made the first stratospheric space dive from a high-altitude balloon in 1959. Spending his military career as both a fighter pilot and a research and development test pilot, he participated in Project Excelsior, testing the effects on pilots ejecting at a high altitude. In 1960, he set a record for the longest skydive from a height greater than 102,000 feet (31 km). See the amazing video of Kittinger's historic jump and the significant contributions to future aviation and space travel HERE. More on his life is HERE. Kittinger, the winner of the Frank G. Brewer Memorial Aerospace Award - Individual Category in 2022 died December 9, 2022. We wish to extend sincere gratitude to Mrs. Joe Kittinger for continuing Col. Kittinger's legacy of being the HABC Ambassador and the benefactor of the Kittinger Cup and $5,000 team prize.
Challenge Sponsor: The Air & Space Forces Association.
Civil Air Patrol appreciates both the AFA Education Council and Mrs. Kittinger's continued support.
PAST WINNERS
CONGRATULATIONS to MAR-VA-007 William P. Knight Composite Squadron as the 2025 Kittinger Cup and $5,000 winner!
Read the CAP.News article about the 2025 winners at Civil Air Patrol Cadets Reach New Heights in High-Altitude Balloon Challenge.
The Challenge included award grants in all categories provided by the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) for teams to complete more STEM projects and a grand prize for the top cumulative scoring team - a $5,000 award and Kittinger Cup provided by Mrs. Joe Kittinger in memory of the late Col. Joe Kittinger, the HABC benefactor and ambassador.
2025 HABC Certificate (is fillable and printable)
2025 HABC Certificate Typing Template, if needed
SEE ALL 2025 AWARD WINNERS:
Information on the 2025 Challenge is HERE.
Click on the 2025 Awards Slide Deck to see the winners of each category of awards: mission patch, pre and post launch videos, and science experiment slide report.
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See the 30-minute HABC awards ceremony video HERE.
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Many thanks to CAP National Commander Maj. General Regena Aye for her wonderful message to all participants at the first portion of the video.
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Much appreciation to the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) for supporting the program with squadron award winners' grants.
2025 HAB Challenge historical page is found HERE.
2024 HAB Challenge historical page is found HERE.
2023 HAB Challenge historical page is found HERE.
2022 HAB Challenge historical page is found HERE.
Inaugural 2021 HAB Challenge historical page (with all winners and other information) is found HERE.
