NASA is moving into the second phase of its lunar waste management initiative, aimed at reducing pollution in near-Earth space.
The LunaRecycle Challenge calls on the scientific community to propose methods for recycling polymers, metals and other materials generated during space missions and construction outside of Earth.
“We are committed to unlocking the innovative potential of resource recycling for future interplanetary missions,” said Jennifer Edmunson, acting project manager for Centennial Challenges at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama.
“Focusing on key waste streams and combining competitive designs with digital modeling,” Edmunson continued, “will help identify breakthrough technologies that could support long-term human presence in space and revolutionize approaches to its exploration.”
The growth of space debris is becoming increasingly important against the backdrop of US plans to replace the ISS and place compact nuclear installations on the lunar surface.
The first stage of LunaRecycle set a record for the number of participants, collecting more than 1,200 applications. The winners were 17 groups from five countries and nine US states.
Participation in the second stage is available exclusively to US citizens and national teams. The condition is the development of a working model of a system for processing 2000 kg of waste generated per year by the life of four astronauts (food packaging, textiles, etc.). Solutions should optimize the crew's time costs and reduce operational risks.
The call for projects for the stage supervised by the University of Alabama has started and will last until January 2026. February will be the month of the announcement of finalists, and in August, 20 teams will present working prototypes. The best developments in each stage will be able to claim a prize fund of $2 million.
Sourse: www.upi.com
