NASA will pay $3 million to anyone who solves the problem of lunar debris

American space agency POT announced a new competition: “LunaRecycle Challenge“that will reward with 3 million dollars to the authors innovative projects in the field of waste recycling for missions to the Moon.

The idea is that selected projects solve the problem This will affect future missions to the Moon: recycling of special wastefor example, food packaging consumed by astronauts and materials from scientific experiments.

Innovators seek competition for lunar debris

He The goal of the competition is to find innovative technologies for recycling waste used in long-term space travel.. The competition seeks solutions that maximize the amount of waste that can be recycled during a hypothetical one-year mission to the Moon.

He LunaRecycle Challenge will contribute to the development recycling solutions with low mass, low impact and energy efficiency which enhance the sustainability of long-term lunar missions.

three technology needs The competition will focus on the following issues: logistics monitoring, recycling of clothing and garbage for housing; manufacturing of parts and products in space and on the surface of the Moon; and manufacturing in space and on the lunar surface from recycled and reused materials.

NASA’s mission goal is to “recycle waste into products that can be used for off-planet science and exploration, so that little or no waste is returned to Earth.”

He the call will have two categories: He “Prototype assembly track” And “Digital Twin Track”. The first is to develop hardware components and systems for processing solid waste on the lunar surface. The second is a project for a virtual copy of a complete waste processing system, as well as the production of final products.

Teams Those who register will have the opportunity to compete in one or both categories.. Additionally, there will be two stages: in the first stage of the competition, the winners in the above two categories will receive a prize of $1 million, and in the second stage, the winners of the second category will receive a prize of $2 million.

“We’re excited to see what solutions our global competitors offer.and we hope this challenge will serve as a positive catalyst that moves the agency and humanity closer to exploring worlds beyond our own,” said Kim Crome, manager LunaRecycle Challenge.

How to take part in the challenge?

A group of experts will review project applications and make a decision. rules-based estimates that are available follow this link. NASA hired the University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, as an allied partner during the test.

Projects They can be sent until March 31, 2025. through the form by clicking Here. Those selected will be announced starting in May 2025.

Link to news:

POT. “NASA seeks innovators for lunar waste competition” 2024.