NASA is looking for innovative thinkers to help solve a critical problem: rescuing stranded astronauts on the Moon.
To encourage brilliant ideas, the US space agency is offering a top prize of $20,000 (around Rs 16.9 lakh).
If you think you have the solution, you can submit your idea before January 23, 2025 on heroX portal.
NASA is looking for innovative thinkers to help solve a critical problem: rescuing stranded astronauts on the Moon. To encourage brilliant ideas, the US space agency is offering a top prize of $20,000 (around Rs 16.9 lakh) as part of its South Pole Safety Challenge: Lunar Rescue System.
This competition, with a total prize pool of $45,000, aims to address the challenges astronauts might face while exploring the Moon’s South Pole. NASA is concerned about scenarios where astronauts might be injured or incapacitated and unable to return to safety on their own.
Sarah Douglas, a NASA expert, emphasized the importance of this initiative, saying, “In the unforgiving lunar environment, the possibility of an astronaut crewmember becoming incapacitated due to unforeseen circumstances (injury, medical emergency, or a mission-related accident) is a critical concern.”
The Moon’s South Pole has been chosen for exploration because it may contain water-ice trapped in shadowy craters. This resource could be crucial for astronauts, providing drinking water, cooling systems, and even the potential to produce oxygen and fuel (via The Sun).
However, the terrain poses serious challenges. According to NASA, the area is full of rocks, some as large as 20 meters, and craters up to 30 meters wide. Navigating this rough terrain is already tough, even without the added complication of rescuing an incapacitated partner.
The rescue system must allow a single astronaut to transport a fully incapacitated partner across distances of up to 2 kilometers and slopes of up to 20 degrees. NASA states, “A single crew member should be able to transport an incapacitated crew member distances up to 2 km and a slope of up to 20 degrees on the lunar terrain without the assistance of a lunar rover.”
The solution must also be lightweight, easy to use, and effective in the Moon’s extreme conditions, where temperatures range from 54°C to -203°C.
How to participate
If you think you have the solution, you can submit your idea before January 23, 2025 on heroX portal. As NASA puts it, “Your creativity and expertise could bridge this critical gap, enhancing the safety measures for future lunar explorers.”
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Ayushi Jain
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