Design a system architecture to excavate
icy regolith and deliver acquired resources in extreme lunar conditions.
Up to $500,000
in Phase 1 Prizes.
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Help NASA design a system for excavating and delivering icy regolith in extreme lunar environments.
As NASA works to extend human exploration of the solar system, a sustained presence on the Moon will be critical for developing and testing the technologies and systems needed for future missions to Mars and beyond.
The development of lunar materials for life support, fuel, energy, manufacturing, and construction- or in situ resource utilization (ISRU)— is needed to enable a sustained, human presence on the Moon. One of the most important of these resources is water. Water supports all life on Earth, and will be critical to supporting human exploration beyond Earth. On the Moon, water is trapped in icy regolith at the lunar poles, including inside permanently dark and cold craters.
Mission Scenario
The Mission Scenario takes place in and around a permanently shadowed region (PSR) near the lunar South Pole. In this scenario, the mission will last 365 Earth days.
The Challenge seeks solutions to maximize water delivery and minimize energy use and the mass of equipment required to be transported to the lunar surface.
Phase I Prize Awards
1st Place
$125,000
2nd Place
$75,000
3rd Place
$50,000
Up to (10) Runners Up
$250,000 ($25,000 each)
Total
Up to $500,000
Timeline
Submission Requirements
Teams will deliver Phase 1 Submission through the Challenge Submission Form.
Phase 1 Submission Requirements
- Submission Title
- Team Information
- Technical Abstract
- Intellectual Property
- Team Video Pitch
- System Architecture
- Excavation Plan
- Mission Animation
- Legal and other required documentation
