(HOUSTON, TX) - Team MEKAH from Santa Ana College won two awards at the NASA Orbit Challenge hosted at NASA Johnson Space Center on Friday, July 17th, 2026, taking home a total of $15,000 for winning the Complimentary Use of AI Award ($5,000) and the Integration Bonus Award ($10,000). Team MEKAH, comprised of SAC students My Le, Arthur Alcocer, Michael Trang, Tony Mendoza, and UC San Diego student Ken Khant, travelled to the NASA Johnson Space Center to present "Project THRESHOLD", a post-Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) environmental and human readiness verification system designed to support safer astronaut transitions after EVA operations.
The team was accompanied by their faculty advisor Dr. Alexander Natale who has helped Team MEKAH navigate through the competition rules and provide guidance on the project. The other faculty advisors who helped the team with the project includes Helen Schwartz, Humberto Gallegos, Peter Reonisto, and Timothy Reonisto.
Read About Team MEKAH's Journey to Become Finalists Here
Before leaving for the competition, the team was recognized by the school and local community as SAC hosted a reception and sendoff party for Team MEKAH, where the students and faculty advisors received a certificate of recognition from Assemblymember Avelino Valencia.
Team Mekah students and faculty advisor pose with certificate of recognition from Avelina Valencia
About NASA ORBIT:
The NASA ORBIT Challenge is made possible through the leadership, expertise, and vision of NASA and its dedicated STEM engagement programs. As a program rooted in authentic NASA missions, technologies, and workforce pathways, ORBIT connects students directly to the people and organizations shaping the future of exploration. Our partners provide the foundational support, strategic guidance, and educational infrastructure that enable students to innovate boldly and take their first steps into NASA’s ecosystem. ORBIT is proud to be delivered as part of NASA’s broader commitment to inspiring, empowering, and preparing the next generation of explorers.
About Santa Ana College:
Santa Ana College (SAC), founded in 1915, serves more than 70,000 students yearly for credit and noncredit classes. At present, SAC students can work toward completing an associate degree, university transfer, career/workforce training or a bachelor's degree in occupational studies. In 2025, the college launched a second bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies. As part of Santa Ana College, the School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center offers free classes throughout the community for adults of all ages and academic backgrounds. Santa Ana College is an award-winning college and was recently ranked as one of the nation's top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students and named one of the best community colleges in California by Intelligent.com for a 2nd consecutive year. The college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and medical personnel.