-. LunaRecycle Challenge

-. Apply

The LunaRecycle Challenge is a two-track public competition that seeks recycling solutions for the lunar surface that maximize the amount of waste that can be recycled from a list of waste categories and items that are relevant to a hypothetical 365-day lunar mission. In order to participate, please fill out the Expression of Interest form below.

Expression of Interest Form

-. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the LunaRecyle Challenge?
A: The LunaRecycle Challenge is a two-track public competition that seeks recycling solutions for the lunar surface that maximize the amount of waste that can be recycled from a list of waste categories and items that are relevant to a hypothetical 365-day lunar mission. NASA is seeking hardware designs (for the Prototype Build track) and digital twin designs (for the Digital Twin track) that minimize resource inputs; unusable outputs; and the mass and/or volume of hardware components and systems needed for recycling. For the Digital Twin track, NASA is also seeking highly innovative and imaginative solutions that harness the full potential of a digital twin.

Q2: Who is conducting this challenge?
A: NASA is conducting this challenge through the Centennial Challenges Program. The program offers incentive prizes to generate revolutionary solutions to problems of interest to NASA and the nation. The program seeks innovations from diverse and non-traditional sources. Competitors are not supported by government funding, and awards are only made to successful Teams when the challenges are met.

Q3: What is The University of Alabama’s role in the challenge?
A: NASA has partnered with The University of Alabama (UA) as the Allied Organization to help execute the LunaRecyle Challenge. UA is the state of Alabama’s oldest public university and a senior comprehensive doctoral-level institution. The University of Alabama is a student-centered research university and an academic community united in its commitment to enhance the quality of life for all Alabamians and the citizens of the nation and the world. The University of Alabama has more than 185 years of engineering education experience.

Q4: Who is AI Space Factory?
A: AI Space Factory is an independently owned space technology company operating at the intersection of terrestrial and extraterrestrial manufacturing. As the winner of a prior NASA Centennial Challenge, SpaceFactory focuses on developing technologies for sustainable lunar and Mars infrastructure and habitat construction. UA has partnered with Space Factory to help with the administration of the Challenge.

Q5: What are the important dates for the LunaRecycle Challenge?
A: Here is a tentative competition calendar

Q6: I’d like to participate – how do I get started?
A: All interested U.S. and International Teams must first register through the Expression of Interest Form by March 31, 2025 (4:00 PM Eastern). Specific instructions for registration can be viewed on the challenge website.

Once a Team has submitted their registration and supporting documents, the Challenge Administrators will review the registration and notify the Team Leader of acceptance to compete. NOTE: A Team is not officially registered as a competitor until the Team Leader receives an official confirmation email from the Challenge Administrators stating that the registration documents have been accepted.

Q7: I just registered for the Challenge, what’s my next step?
A: Thanks for registering. Please look out for an email from the Challenge Administrators accepting the registration or asking for missing or additional documentation.

Q8: How can I stay up to date on what’s happening with the Challenge?
A: Please visit the Challenge website to learn about the updates and latest happenings https://lunarecyclechallenge.ua.edu/

Q9: How will submissions be assessed?
A: A Panel of expert judges will review the submissions and discuss, evaluate, and rank the entries using the Judging Criteria explained in the Challenge rules. The Judging Panel has discretion in the assessment and scoring of submissions and in recommending the winners. NASA will determine the final winners.

Q10: What can I win?
A. The LunaRecycle Challenge will have a total prize purse of up to $3 million, including a total of up to $1 million available during Phase 1. Prizes are expected to be distributed as summarized in the below tables.

Challenge Total Prizes Across Phases

Phase 1 Prize Purse Distribution

Q11: What Incentives are there for the Teams?
A: (1) Eligible Teams can win prizes. (2) All participating Teams get certificates (3) Teams get opportunities to interact with NASA and industry Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)s through webinars (4) Names of the Teams that complete the registration will be listed on the challenge website (5) Names of the winning Teams will be included in a NASA press release and social media announcements.

Q12: What happens to my intellectual property?
A: Neither NASA nor The University of Alabama claim any intellectual property (IP) rights from the Teams’ submissions. All trade secrets, copyrights, patent rights, and software rights will remain with each respective Team.

Q13: Who can I contact with questions or about my submission?
A: Please direct all questions to lunarecycle@ua.edu and a member of our support Team will respond as quickly as possible. Questions sent to any other email address or individual will not be addressed.

Q14: Who can I contact for more information about the LunaRecycle Challenge?
A: All questions related to participating and/or competing in the Challenge should be sent to Admin Email address 
Questions sent to any other email address or individual will not be addressed.
Media inquires should be directed to:
 
Ramon J. Osorio – ramon.j.osorio@nasa.gov
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama
+1 256-544-0034

Rajiv Doreswamy – rdoreswamy@ua.edu
The University of Alabama
+1 205-348-4997

Q15: Where can I find information about informational webinars?
A: Webinar details will be posted on the challenge website well in advance of the webinar. If you missed a webinar, recordings will be available on the challenge website following the webinar.

Q16: Who is eligible to participate as a U.S. or International Team?
A: The LunaRecycle Challenge is open to individuals and Teams from around the globe, with some restrictions. All interested Teams should refer to the Rules for specific eligibility requirements to compete and/or win a prize.

Q17: With regard to eligibility, what is meant by “Chinese entity”?
A: Competitors cannot be affiliated with a Chinese entity. A Chinese entity includes a Chinese company, university, government entity, research institute, or any similar organization. Teams and team members cannot work for the Chinese government or a Chinese company or be students at a Chinese university or school.

Q18: Can a person with a Permanent Resident Card (green card) who is not a U.S. citizen participate in the competition?
A: Yes, a Permanent Resident Card holder is considered a permanent U.S. resident, and can participate in the challenge and be eligible to win a prize from NASA.

Q19: I’m a US citizen/permanent resident interested in participating in this Challenge. Will including foreign nationals on my Team disqualify the Team from being eligible for the prize money?
A: Please refer to the Rules document for the detailed eligibility criteria.

A Team may include foreign nationals and be eligible to win prize money as long as the foreign national signs and delivers a disclosure (separate form) wherein he/she discloses his/her citizenship and acknowledge that he/she is not eligible to win a prize from NASA, AND

1. The foreign national is an employee of an otherwise eligible U.S. entity participating in the Challenge,
2. The foreign national is an owner of such entity, so long as foreign citizens own less than 50% of the interests in the entity,
3. The foreign national is a contractor under written contract to such entity, OR
4. The foreign national is a full-time student, during the time of the Challenge, of an otherwise eligible entity which is an accredited institution of higher learning, AND the student is during the Challenge in the United States on a valid student visa and is otherwise in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding the sale and export of technology.

Q20: Can I participate as an individual in the competition?
A: Anyone can register to participate in the competition as long as they meet the eligibility requirements as stated in the Challenge rules.

Q21: Can we add additional Team members after we have registered and completed the Team registration form?
A: New Team members may be added to the Team after the initial registration period ends. Team members previously registered for the challenge on one Team may not switch Teams during the same phase of the competition. The existing Team Leader is accountable for any decision to make changes to the Team roster, including bringing on new Team members and/or releasing registered Team members. New Team members must meet the eligibility requirements and submit all required paperwork and supporting documents as stated in the Challenge rules.

Q22: Can an individual be on multiple Teams?
A: The Challenge rules do not have any restrictions on the number of Teams an individual is part of. It is up to the individual and the Teams to decide.

Q23: What range of Team sizes are you expecting? Would a 2-3 person Team be judged more leniently than a larger Team?
A: We have no expectations on the size of a Team. A Team can be anywhere from a single individual to a large group. The size of the Team is not taken into account in the judging process.

Q24: Can an organization sponsor/have multiple Teams to compete in the Challenge?
A: The Challenge rules do not prohibit an organization from sponsoring/having more than one Team. It is up to an organization on how many Teams they want to sponsor.

Q25: Can individuals under 18 compete?
A: Individuals under 18 are not eligible to compete to win a prize from NASA. BUT that doesn’t mean that you can’t participate in furthering NASA’s missions or contributing to technology advancements for Earth applications if you are under 18. Click on the links below to explore how individuals under 18 can be a part of student challenges:
https://www.nasa.gov/get-involved/
https://www.nasa.gov/stem

Q26: Why do I need insurance?
A: The U.S. Government requires all individuals and entities involved in challenges of this type to have adequate insurance coverage. Competitors are obligated to abide by existing U.S. Government guidelines.

Q27: What documentation should be submitted to show proof of insurance?
A: Teams are free to submit whatever they feel will demonstrate the required insurance coverage and the document will be reviewed for compliance with the rules.

Q28: My Team and I are NASA contractors. Will using our company resources disqualify us from competing in this challenge?
A: Please refer to the Eligibility section in the Rules. NASA contractors may enter the competition, or be members of prize-eligible Teams, so long as they are not within the scope of their contract, and they rely on no facilities, access, personnel, knowledge or other resources that are available to them as a result of their employment except for those resources available to all other participants on an equal basis.

Q29: My Team and I are NASA contractors. Could you please provide a list of things we can and can’t do to maintain our eligibility?
A: We are unable to provide such a list. It is a Team’s responsibility to understand the eligibility requirements.

Q30:  Can a U.S. company submit a concept currently under development through an SBIR award?
A: If you are a past grantee of the SBIR program, you may apply. If you are a current grantee, please note that no U.S. government funds may be used to prepare your submission.

Q31: Will the list of competing Teams be available on the website?
A: We plan to publish the list of Teams on the website after the registration deadline.

Q32: What if a presenter or panelist in a webinar says something that conflicts with the rules or a previously published FAQ?
A: The Challenge rules and any accompanying FAQs supersede anything said at a webinar or by any other individual in a public or private forum.

Q33: Is there a particular Technology Readiness Level (TRL) the technologies that we are developing should be by the end of Phase 1?
A: There is no specific TRL required to submit.

Q34: Which unit system should we use in our reports?
A: It is recommended that you use the International System of Units (SI) or the multiples and submultiples of SI units in your reports. For example, Mass (kg), Distance (m or km), Temperature (K), Energy (J or kJ or MJ or kWh), etc.

Q35: Is a Team allowed to compete in both tracks in Phase 1?
A: Yes, Teams may compete in one or both competition tracks in Phase 1.

Q36: Where can I find more details about Phase 2?
A: Please refer to Appendix C of Phase 1 rules. The initiation of Phase 2 is contingent on the emergence of promising submissions in Phase 1 that demonstrate viable approaches to addressing the challenge. Additional details and rules for Phase 2 will be released if and when NASA launches Phase 2 for either/both tracks.

Q37: Is participation in Phase 1 required to participate in Phase 2?
A: Phase 2 will be open to any eligible team, whether or not they competed in Phase 1.