ALBAWABA – The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research, announced a $3 million prize for waste recycling solutions in space.
NASA's LunaRecycle challenge
Under the Artemis program, the moon exploration initiative led by the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the agency plans to send new astronauts to the moon.
In conjunction with this effort, NASA launched the LunaRecycle Challenge, a prize program offering $3 million for innovative waste recycling solutions, with a deadline of March 31, 2025.
NASA is looking for innovators who can find solutions to recycle waste in space. “Processing inorganic waste streams like food packaging, discarded clothing, and science experiment materials,” as stated by NASA in a press release.
The administration emphasized that the winner will not only reduce waste but also transform it into usable products essential for scientific endeavors. (Shutterstock)
Amy Kaminski, program executive for NASA’s Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing program, said: “Operating sustainably is an important consideration for NASA as we make discoveries and conduct research both away from home and on Earth. With this challenge, we are seeking the public’s innovative approaches to waste management on the Moon and aim to take lessons learned back to Earth for the benefit of all.”
The administration emphasized that the winner will not only reduce waste but also transform it into usable products essential for scientific endeavors. This initiative highlights sustainability, effective waste management, greener space exploration, and efforts to combat climate change on Earth.
The challenge consists of two tracks: Prototype Build and Digital Twin. The Prototype Build track focuses on developing hardware systems for recycling solid waste on the lunar surface, while the Digital Twin track involves creating a virtual model of a complete recycling system and its end products.
It is worth mentioning that participants in NASA’s LunaRecycle Challenge can engage in both tracks or choose to focus on just one.
Kim Krome, acting program manager for the agency’s Centennial Challenges, stated: “I am pleased that NASA’s LunaRecycle Challenge will contribute to solutions pertaining to technological needs within advanced manufacturing and habitats. We are very excited to see what solutions our global competitors generate, and we are eager for this challenge to serve as a positive catalyst for bringing the agency, and humanity, closer to exploring worlds beyond our own.”
