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The conquest of space is not without risks, especially when it comes to ensuring the safety of astronauts. NASA, aware of these dangers, is seeking innovative solutions to protect its crews as part of the Artemis program. A major challenge is rescuing an injured or stranded astronaut on the Moon. It is against this backdrop that the agency launched a bold competition, inviting the public to propose innovative ideas for a lunar rescue system.
A bold challenge for the general public
NASA announced the competition titled “South Pole Safety: Designing the NASA Lunar Rescue System” on November 14. This challenge is for everyone, from experienced engineers to passionate amateurs, with a tempting reward at stake.
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The mission is simple in its formulation, but complex in its execution. Participants must design a system capable of transporting a fully equipped astronaut a distance of two kilometers, on a 20-degree incline, without the aid of a rover.
The extreme conditions of the Moon
The lunar surface, particularly at the south pole, imposes particularly hostile conditions. Temperatures there are extreme and gravity is weaker than on the earth’s surface. These factors complicate the task of designing an effective rescue system.
NASA requires the proposed device to operate autonomously, robust enough to withstand lunar conditions. This constraint adds an additional layer of complexity for participants.
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Attractive rewards to stimulate creativity
To encourage innovative ideas, NASA is offering a prize pool of $45,000 divided among different winners. The big winner will be awarded the sum of $20,000.
This call for proposals embodies a participatory approach, aiming to take advantage of collective intelligence. It reflects the agency’s desire to open up to new and unexpected perspectives.
| Criteria | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Transportation distance | At least 2 kilometers |
| Maximum slope | 20 degrees |
| Autonomy | Without rover |
| Environment | Lunar South Pole Conditions |
Possible technologies for rescue
Potentially useful technologies include devices based on autonomous drones, tracked robots or pneumatic lifting systems. Each of these solutions has specific benefits and challenges.
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The key lies in innovation and adaptability. Participants must be creative to overcome technical and environmental obstacles.
An opportunity for citizen involvement
This competition represents a unique opportunity for the public to participate in a historic space mission. By getting involved, citizens can directly contribute to the safety of astronauts.
The deadline to submit a proposal is January 23, 2025. This deadline gives creative minds time to refine their concepts and submit them to the agency.
Towards a secure future for space exploration
NASA, by launching this challenge, hopes to not only solve a critical problem, but also inspire a new generation of innovators. Safe lunar exploration paves the way for future missions to Mars and beyond.
What concepts will emerge from this collective and daring approach? The ideas proposed today could well shape the future of space exploration.
What other challenges could NASA pose to encourage innovation in space exploration?
Source : Universetoday
