Administrative Information | First Steps | Registration and Submission | Eligibility | International Eligibility | NASA | IP/Legal | Judging/Winning | Technical
What is the LunaRecyle Challenge?
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.
Who is conducting this challenge?
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.
What is The University of Alabama’s role in the challenge?
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.
Who is AI Space Factory?
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.
Who can I contact for more information about the LunaRecycle Challenge?
All questions related to participating and/or competing in the Challenge should be sent to lunarecycle@ua.edu. 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 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama
+1 205-348-4997″
Who can I contact with questions or about my submission?
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.
Where can I find information about informational webinars?
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.
What if a presenter or panelist in a webinar says something that conflicts with the rules or a previously published FAQ?
The Challenge rules and any accompanying FAQs supersede anything said at a webinar or by any other individual in a public or private forum.
How can I stay up to date on what’s happening with the Challenge?
Please visit the Challenge website to learn about the updates and latest happenings https://lunarecyclechallenge.ua.edu/
Is it ok to share information about the challenge with friends and colleagues who might be interested?
Yes, everyone is encouraged to share the challenge website, rules, webinars, and other information with anyone who may be interested in competing or following the challenge!
How often will webinars be held?
We plan to hold four or five webinars between the opening of the challenge and the March 31 deadline for registration and submission. You can sign up to receive updates, including about any future webinars at the challenge website: https://lunarecyclechallenge.ua.edu/.
Can people who are not eligible, but interested in the challenge still attend the webinars?
Yes, the webinars will be open to all interested parties. To stay up to date on webinars and other challenge activities, you can sign up to get updates at the challenge website: https://lunarecyclechallenge.ua.edu/.
I couldn’t attend the recent webinar. Where can I find the recording?
Webinar recordings will be posted in the Resources section of the challenge website and at: https://lunarecyclechallenge.ua.edu/webinars/.
What information should we include in our submission?
Teams should use the submission templates to prepare their submissions. The submission templates may be found in the Resources section of the challenge website: https://lunarecyclechallenge.ua.edu/.
Why do I need insurance?
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.
How much insurance is required to compete in Phase 1?
As stated in the challenge rules, teams are required to obtain liability insurance in the amount of $5,000 USD minimum that covers each Team Member or otherwise demonstrate financial responsibility for that amount. Additional details may be found in the challenge rules.
What documentation should be submitted to show proof of insurance?
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.
Are there ways to find and join a team?
We do not currently have a mechanism for potential team members to meet each other and discuss forming a team. However, if that changes, we will post the details on the challenge website.
Is a Team allowed to compete in both tracks in Phase 1?
Yes, Teams may compete in one or both competition tracks in Phase 1.
Is there any type of financial support provided for teams?
No, there is no financial support available from NASA during Phase 1 of the challenge. The prize purses for Phase 1 winners are outlined in the challenge rules.
Will the list of competing Teams be available on the website?
No, there are no plans to publish the list of Teams on the website.
Are there opportunities for mentorship or feedback sessions during the development phase of the challenge?
Unfortunately, we will not be able to offer any mentorship or feedback opportunities during Phase 1 of the challenge.
Is participation in Phase 1 required to participate in Phase 2?
Phase 2 will be open to any eligible team, whether or not they competed in Phase 1.
Where can I find more details about Phase 2?
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.
Is registration open?
Yes, as of January 22, 2025, registration for the LunaRecycle Challenge is open! You can begin the registration process at the challenge website, on the “Apply” page
I already submitted my team information on the challenge website. Am I already registered?
No, if you submitted an Expression of Interest form, you are not already registered for the challenge. All teams must go through the registration process described on the “Apply” page (updated as of January 22, 2025), including completing the Team Agreement (December 2024 version), in order to register for the challenge.
How do I complete the Team Agreement?
The Team Leader is responsible for completing and submitting the Team Agreement (December 2024 version), including all required Exhibits. The Team Agreement should be submitted only once all of the required sections are completed and executed by the team. If there are any questions about the Team Agreement after it is submitted, the University of Alabama will communicate with the Team Leader.
The Team Leader must complete the following sections:
Team Name (p. 1)
Team Name and Address in section 1, Introduction (p. 1)
Team Leader information in section 6.5, Responsible Officers (p. 8)
Team information in Section 8, Execution (p.10)
If the team has additional Team Members who are individuals, each Team Member must complete and execute an Exhibit A1 (p.11).
If the team is competing as an entity, the team must complete and execute Exhibit A2 (pp. 12-13).
If the team includes any Team Members who are foreign national students, they must complete Exhibit B1 (p. 14)
If the team includes any Team Members who are foreign nationals who are not students, they must complete Exhibit B2 (p. 15)
Finally, all teams must complete Exhibit C Insurance Coverage/Financial Responsibility Certification (p. 16).
How do I register for the challenge?
The LunaRecycle Challenge registration process has several steps.
Go to the challenge website and click on the “Apply” page. On that page, you can download the Team Agreement document, which is required for registration. You may want to download, review, and complete the Team Agreement document before beginning the registration process. Please make sure you have the most up to date version of the Team Agreement (December 2024 version), which is posted on the “Apply” page.
When you are ready to register, click the button on the “Apply” page that says “Begin Registration.” You will be taken to the registration and submission platform.
First, to use this website, you must create an account. Click on “Create a New Account” at the top of the page and follow the instructions.
Second, you will be asked to fill out a form with basic information about your team. After you have completed this form, click the button that says “Register Team”
Third, you will be asked to upload your completed Team Agreement. Please note that in order to complete the registration process and be an officially registered team, you must upload a completed Team Agreement.
Once you have completed the form and uploaded a completed Team Agreement, click the button that says “Update Registration.”
You will receive an email confirming that your registration documents were successfully submitted. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact lunarecycle@ua.edu.
I completed the registration process, how do I know that I am eligible?
After a Team has completed the registration process, the University of Alabama (UA) will conduct a review of eligibility. UA will reach out to the Team Leader in order to obtain 1) the required identity documents for the Team Leader and each Team Member/Entity; and 2) the required proof of insurance/financial responsibility. Once these documents have been submitted and verified, UA will sign and execute the Team Agreement and share a copy with the Team Leader.
How do I submit my solution?
After a team has completed the registration process, they will be able to upload and save their submission at the registration and submission platform.
First, if you have not already, go to the Resources page of the challenge website and download the submission template/instructions for the appropriate track (Digital Twin or Prototype Build).
For the Digital Twin track, the submission must include: 1) a presentation saved as a PDF; 2) a link to a recorded presentation; and 3) a standalone animation/visualization/simulation. For the Prototype Build track, the submission must include: 1) a document saved as a PDF; and 2) a link to a pitch video. Please see the challenge rules for additional details. For both tracks, teams must also calculate and provide their Net Waste Recycled in the designated submission fields.
When you are ready to submit, go to the “Apply” page of the challenge website, and click on the button that says “Submit Your Solution.” Or, if you are already at the registration and submission platform, click on the heading that says “Rounds and Submissions.”
You will have the option to submit your solution for one or both tracks. Click the “Edit” button for the appropriate track. A pop-up window will appear with the required fields.
Complete the required fields in the pop-up window, and click the “Save” button. Then, close the pop-up window. You will be able to see that your documents have been successfully saved.
Can I save part of my submission now and update it before the submission deadline?
Yes, teams can update their submission at any time up until the submission deadline, March 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.
My team’s eligibility has not been verified yet. Can I still complete my submission?
Yes, once the team has completed the required registration fields and uploaded their Team Agreement, they may also complete their submission, up to the deadline of March 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.
What if I want to submit multiple entries to the Prototype Build Track?
As stated in the challenge rules, the Prototype Build track allows teams to have multiple entries. In order to submit more than one entry, you will have to create a duplicate registration at the registration and submission platform.
Go through the same process that you did to register initially and add a number at the end of your team name reflecting the number of your entry. For example, if you register and submit your first entry as “Team Alpha,” then you should register and submit your second entry as “Team Alpha 2.” All other team information should be exactly the same for multiple entries.
If your team is exactly the same for multiple entries, your eligibility will only have to be verified once. If your team is not exactly the same, each group will be considered a separate team requiring separate verification of eligibility.
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for the cash prize?
As stated in the challenge rules, in order to be eligible to win a prize from NASA: Individuals must be U.S. citizens OR permanent residents of the United States, AND over the age of 18; Organizations must be an entity incorporated in AND maintaining a primary place of business in the United States; Teams must be comprised of otherwise eligible individuals or organizations AND led by an otherwise eligible individual or organization; and Team Leader must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Can a person with a Permanent Resident Card (green card) who is not a U.S. citizen participate in the competition?
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.
Is there an age requirement for the challenge?
As stated in the challenge rules, in order to be eligible to win a prize from NASA, individuals must be over the age of 18.
Can people outside of STEM fields participate?
Yes, the challenge is open to all eligible individuals and teams. Please refer to the challenge rules for eligibility details.
Are people with disabilities allowed to participate?
Yes, the challenge is open to all eligible individuals and teams. Please refer to the challenge rules for eligibility details.
Can I participate as an individual in the competition?
Anyone can register to participate in the competition as long as they meet the eligibility requirements as stated in the Challenge rules.
Is there a limit on the number of team members allowed?
No, there is no limit on the number of eligible team members allowed.
What range of Team sizes are you expecting? Would a 2-3 person Team be judged more leniently than a larger Team?
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.
Can we add additional Team members after we have registered and completed the Team registration form?
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.
Can an individual be on multiple Teams?
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.
Can an organization sponsor/have multiple Teams to compete in the Challenge?
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.
Does the team need to be an registered organization/entity or can it be group of friends/colleagues with the Team Leader being a U.S. Citizen?
Teams do not need to be a formal organization or entity. Teams should review the detailed requirements in the challenge rules regarding eligibility and citizenship. If teams have a specific question about eligibility that is not covered or not clear in the challenge rules, please email your question to: lunarecycle@ua.edu.
Do individuals on a team represent themselves or do they represent the institution they are part (e.g., an employer or academic institution)?
Eligible teams may be either individuals or organizations, the team may choose how they would like to register.
Can a university professor be a Team Leader?
Yes, a university professor can be a Team Leader.
Is there a specific professional level or credentials required for university students to compete?
No, there are no specific credentials or experience required to compete in the challenge. Any eligible person or team may compete.
Are there any conflict of interest constraints for University of Alabama students or Alumni?
As stated in the challenge rules, current employees, consultants, and students of the University of Alabama may only participate as Team Members on a Team when that Team is not competing for the Prize from NASA. Participation of such parties as Team Members on a Team will make a Team ineligible for any Prize award from NASA. There are no constraints on alumni who are not current employees, consultants, or students.
For eligibility, If I am a student employee at a National lab (I believe I am technically a federal employee), do I need to get permission from my lab to participate?
As stated in the challenge rules, U.S. government employees participating as individuals, or who submit applications on behalf of an otherwise eligible organization, will be responsible for ensuring that their participation in the Challenge is permitted by the rules and regulations relevant to their position and that they have obtained any authorization that may be required by virtue of their government position. Please see the challenge rules for additional details.
My Team and I are NASA contractors. Will using our company resources disqualify us from competing in this challenge?
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.
Are foreign nationals allowed to participate?
As stated in the challenge rules, a Team may include foreign nationals and be eligible to win prize money as long as the foreign national signs and delivers a disclosure wherein they disclose his/her citizenship and acknowledge that he/she is not eligible to win a prize from NASA, AND the foreign national is:
An employee of an otherwise eligible U.S. entity participating in the Challenge; An owner of such entity, so long as foreign citizens own less than 50% of the interests in the entity; A contractor under written contract to such entity; OR
a full-time student who, during the time of the Challenge, (1) is enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning, (2) has a valid student visa and (3) is otherwise in compliance with all local, state, and U.S. Government laws and regulations regarding the sale and export of technology.
Can a team be composed of people from different countries?
Yes, teams may be composed of people from different countries. Please see the challenge rules for additional details regarding foreign national participation in the challenge.
With regard to eligibility, what is meant by “Chinese entity”?
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.
Do all team members need to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents or just the team leader?
A team may include foreign nationals and be eligible to win prize money as long as they meet the requirements explained in the challenge rules. Teams should review the detailed requirements in the challenge rules and the Team Agreement regarding eligibility and citizenship. If teams have a specific question about eligibility that is not covered or not clear in the challenge rules, please email your question to: lunarecycle@ua.edu.
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?
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.
If our team leader will be a U.S. citizen, but the rest of the team will be foreign students enrolled in universities outside of of the U.S. Will the team be eligible for a prize?
As stated in the challenge rules, a Team may include foreign nationals and be eligible to win prize money as long as the team meets the stated criteria. Please see the challenge rules for more details.
Must the Team Leader be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident or can an international student in a higher education institution be a Team Leader?
As stated in the challenge rules, the Team Leader must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
We have a manufacturing facility outside of the U.S. Can we prototype the product outside of the U.S., specifically for this challenge?
Phase 1 of the Prototype Build Track is focused on design. Teams should submit their design using the submission template; teams will not be submitting any hardware or prototypes during Phase 1 of the challenge.
Is it possible to wait and see if the competition is won by our Team before incorporating a US company to receive the prize ?
A team is not required to be an incorporated organization. However, as stated in the challenge rules, if a team is an organization, the organization must be an entity incorporated in and maintaining a primary place of business in the United States in order to be eligible for a prize.
Will there be certificates issued for international winners that are not eligible for prize purses?
Yes, NASA will issue a certificate and letter of congratulations to international teams designated as winners. As stated in the challenge rules, up to three (3) top scoring international teams in each track will be recognized as winners.
Why did NASA make a space waste challenge?
NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, which leads the development and demonstration of transformational technologies, has identified several research areas requiring further investment to meet future exploration, science, and other mission needs. These include topics such as trash management for habitation, in-space and on-surface manufacturing from recycled materials, and digital transformation technologies for terrestrial, in-Space, on-Surface manufacturing and operations—all of which may be addressed through this challenge. By utilizing open innovation strategies in this area, NASA can incentivize novel solutions to the challenges of waste in space and ensure the sustainability of future space exploration, industrial activities, and habitats.
What is NASA doing to promote/advance sustainability?
NASA is a proactive leader for responsible and sustainable space operations, marked by the development of widely adopted best practices, analytic studies, models, technologies, and operations for the benefit of all. As NASA prepares for future human space missions, there will be a need to consider how various waste streams, including solid waste, can be minimized as well as how waste can be stored, processed, and recycled in a space environment so that little or no waste will need to be returned to Earth. NASA has committed to develop an integrated agencywide strategy to measure and assess space sustainability for Earth, Earth orbit, the cislunar space, and deep space. NASA will identify the most cost-effective ways to meet sustainability targets, incentivize adoption of sustainable practices through technology and policy development, and increase efforts to share and receive information with the rest of the global space community. For more on NASA’s space sustainability efforts, visit nasa.gov/spacesustainability
What are NASA’s plans for potentially integrating successful solutions from this challenge into actual lunar missions?
There are no explicit plans for integrating solutions from the challenge into specific planned missions. However, the challenge is designed to address key technical hurdles and requirements that will need to be addressed in future missions.
Are there any opportunities to collaborate with NASA researchers as part of this challenge?
No, there will not be any opportunities to collaborate with NASA researchers during Phase 1 of the challenge.
Can current NASA employees be on a team and participate in the challenge?
Eligible teams may be either individuals or organizations, the team may choose how they would like to register. As stated in the challenge rules, U.S. government employees participating as individuals, or who submit applications on behalf of an otherwise eligible organization, will be responsible for ensuring that their participation in the challenge is permitted by the rules and regulations relevant to their position and that they have obtained any authorization that may be required by virtue of their government position. Please consult the challenge rules for additional details.
Is there a more kid-friendly version of this challenge?
Yes, visit lunasustain.nianet.org to participate in LunaSustain, a K-12 initiative connected to LunaRecycle.
Are there any plans to introduce categories or opportunities in future competitions that would allow younger participants to showcase their talents?
We appreciate your enthusiasm for getting involved! On the topics of sustainability and recycling, you may want to visit: lunasustain.nianet.org to participate in LunaSustain, a K-12 initiative connected to the LunaRecycle Challenge. In addition, you can find more resources and programs for students and younger people at the NASA website: nasa.gov/stem.
What other challenges can I compete in?
See a full list of NASA’s open challenges here: https://www.nasa.gov/get-involved/#NASA-Missions
How do I get involved with NASA besides challenges?
NASA invites members of the public to contribute their time and expertise to advancing research, solving problems, and potentially winning prizes as a result of their work. Check out nasa.gov/get-involved for more details.
Are we allowed to use the NASA logo, such as for a kickstarter campaign to help fund our participation?
No, as stated in the challenge rules, teams may not use the name, trademark or insignia of NASA.
We understand that teams may not use the NASA logo in any materials. But are we allowed to use the challenge logo and discuss our participation in the challenge?
Yes, teams may use the challenge logo and share information about their participation in the challenge.
What happens to my intellectual property?
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.
Can a proposal simultaneously align with academic scientific research in my country and be applied to this project afterward?
The challenge rules include restrictions on the participation of U.S. government employees, the use of U.S. Federal funding, and the participation of individuals associated with the University of Alabama, which is administering the challenge. Otherwise, the challenge rules do not restrict the origin of solutions submitted by eligible teams.
Can we submit more than one idea?
Teams may compete in one or both tracks. As stated in the challenge rules, for the Digital Twin track, each team may only have one entry; and for the Prototype Build Track, each team may have multiple entries.
Do ideas need to be patented before bringing them to NASA?
Patents are not required to participate in the challenge. As stated in the challenge rules, NASA and the University of Alabama claim no intellectual property (IP) rights from the Team. All trade secrets, copyrights, patent rights, and software rights will remain with each respective Team.
Can a U.S. company submit a concept currently under development through an SBIR award?
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.
Is NASA taking into account any supply chain issues with the hardware used in recycling before sending this technology to the Moon?
For Phase 1 of the LunaRecycle Challenge, supply chain issues are not a consideration.
Are the prizes awarded to individuals on the winning teams, or are they awarded to the institutions that the individuals work in/studied in?
As stated in the Team Agreement, prize payments are issued to the Team Leader of each winning team.
If we are a winner, can we use the prize money to further develop our idea, including in Phase 2 of the challenge (if there is a Phase 2)?
Yes, you can use the prize money to further develop your design. There are no limitations on how the prize purse may be used by an eligible individual, organization, or team.
How will submissions be assessed?
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.
What Incentives are there for the Teams?
(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.
What can I win?
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
| Digital Twin Track | Prototype Build Track | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | $400K | $600K | $1M |
| Phase 2 | $600K | $1.4M | $2M |
| TOTAL | $1M | $2M | $3M |
Phase 1 Prize Purse Distribution
| Digital Twin Track | Prototype Build Track | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Winners | Up to 8 | Up to 8 |
| Prize Per Winner | $50K | $75K |
| Total Phase 1 Prizes | Up to $400K | Up to $600K |
Are there restrictions on how the prize money can be used, such as for materials or personnel?
No, there are no limitations on how the prize purse may be used by an eligible individual, organization, or team.
Is the cost of the solution a factor in the judging? Is there a specific budget limitation for solutions?
No, cost is not a factor in the judging and there is no limit on a team’s budget. Teams competing in the Prototype Build track are required to submit an estimated budget; however, as stated in the challenge rules, this budget will only be used to assess how well the team has thought through the budget necessary to build their solution, if they are chosen to move onto Phase 2.
Resources/Requirements | Alternative Considerations | Waste Parameters | Digital Twins
Is there a particular Technology Readiness Level (TRL) the technologies that we are developing should be by the end of Phase 1?
There is no specific TRL required to submit.
Are there any specific safety standards or regulatory requirements that our proposed technologies need to comply with?
All of the technical requirements for the challenge can be found in the challenge rules. There are no specific safety standards that teams need to comply with in Phase 1.
Which unit system should we use in our reports?
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.
How will scalability and adaptability of the proposed systems to different mission scenarios be considered in the evaluation?
Teams should not consider any other mission scenarios beyond the hypothetical Mission Scenario described in the challenge rules.
Do participants need to consider how technologies will be deployed and fielded?
As described in the challenge rules and submission templates, teams should address a number of topics related to future deployment, including their concept of operations, resource inputs, maintenance requirements, and crew time to operate and maintain the system.
Will NASA provide any data, lunar environmental parameters, or resources to help design and validate our solutions?
For Phase 1 of the challenge, NASA is not currently planning to provide additional lunar data or resources beyond what is already included in the challenge rules and on the challenge website.
Is there a concept/scheme of the lunar base/habitat that is referenced in the challenge rules?
No, this information is not available for this challenge.
Can you provide the payload capacity of the vehicle that will transport recycling hardware on a future lunar mission?
No, this information is not available for this challenge. Teams only need to address the technical requirements explained in the challenge rules.
Is there an inventory list of equipment or materials on the Moon, such as landers, boosters, etc.?
No, this information is not available for this challenge.
Are there preferred or required technologies for waste processing, or is the challenge open to any innovative approach?
Teams may propose any approach or solution that meets the technical requirements of the challenge. All of the technical requirements can be found in the challenge rules.
Is NASA prioritizing any specific features like automation or compact design in lunar recycling systems?
As described in the Judging Criteria section of the challenge rules, both the Estimated Mass and Volume of the System and Efficiency of the Recycling Process (including minimizing crew time) will be evaluated in the judging.
Is there a preferred voltage for control circuits or load circuits?
No, we will not be requiring any specific voltage ranges in Phase 1 of this challenge.
For the Prototype Build Track, are there any guidelines regarding the materials and components that can be used for building the prototype?
In Phase 1, the challenge rules do not constrain the types of materials or components that can be used for designing a prototype.
Are there any material limitations due to tooling difficulties or functional limitations due to exo-earth conditions?
All of the constraints for this challenge are explained in the challenge rules.
Are there any specific lunar resources or materials that should be integrated into the projects (e.g. lunar regolith)?
All of the technical requirements are outlined in the challenge rules. Teams are allowed, but not required, to use lunar regolith in their solutions. A specification for lunar regolith can be found in the Resources section of the challenge website: https://lunarecyclechallenge.ua.edu/.
What specifications or composition should we assume for lunar dust?
As stated in the challenge rules, teams are not required to design solutions to operate in lunar dust conditions. However, the submission template asks teams to describe how the solution might be adapted to operate in lunar dust conditions in the future and/or whether/how it might be inherently dust resistant. Teams can either respond to this question in a general way without analyzing specific data related to lunar dust, or they may assume dust characteristics associated with LHS-1 Lunar Highlands Simulant (the specifications for which are available on the Resources page of the challenge website).
How would participating teams have access to the mentioned LHS-1 Simulant and in what quantities?
The LHS-1 Lunar Highlands Simulant Fact Sheet has been provided for informational purposes. NASA will not be providing access to any actual simulated regolith. Teams may procure simulated regolith on their own if they would like to test or analyze it as part of their design.
Regarding the use of regolith in our recycling process, should we be concerned about using regolith in the pressurized environment? What if we wanted to incorporate the regolith (LHS-1) into our recycled products but inside the pressurized environment where it might have some risk to the crew &/or systems?
You are correct that the use of regolith could present a safety concern inside a pressurized habitat. In Phase 1, the challenge rules do not require teams to address this issue. However, if there is a Phase 2 of the challenge, it is possible that teams could be required to conduct more robust safety analysis regarding this issue. Teams may want to consider this possibility as they determine their approach to solutions in the challenge.
Is the use of AI for ideas allowed in the challenge?
The challenge rules do not prohibit the use of AI software or tools.
Can we also redesign the initial waste product? For example, come up with better food packaging that does not produce waste?
No, this challenge is focused on recycling. We are not seeking solutions in this challenge that redesign any waste items.
Can we use 3D printing in our design?
Yes, teams may use 3D printing in their designs.
Can we use wastewater for cooling?
Yes, as stated in the challenge rules, outputs from the recycling process, such as waste heat, wastewater, or other outputs may be converted and/or re-used as inputs to the recycling process to increase process efficiency.
Can we propose bioplastics that can be converted to food or packaging?
No, none of the Waste Items listed in the challenge rules are made of bioplastics, and we are not seeking solutions in this challenge that redesign any waste items.
The challenge rules state that waste cannot be burned or incinerated. However, are recycling solutions that use heat and/or shredding, melting, molding, or gasification allowed?
Yes, teams are allowed use heat, melting, molding, shredding, gasification, or other similar approaches as part of a recycling solution. The language in the challenge rules stating that “Waste cannot be burned or incinerated” is intended to mean that waste cannot be burned or incinerated as a simple and complete solution to the challenge, because the challenge is seeking recycling solutions.
When it comes to the 4 200 kg of waste, are we assuming that the year’s waste will be processed throughout the year, or will all waste need to be processed in a short time frame with a high throughput at the end of the year? As in when will the recycling equipment be delivered relative to the year mentioned?
The challenge rules do not constrain the amount of time over which waste is recycled. As stated in the Mission Scenario, the crew has already accumulated 4,200 kg of solid waste; therefore the waste described in this challenge is already accumulated and ready to be recycled.
You mentioned that prototype build track did not need to include the manufacturing of a final product just waste recycled. Will there be some kind of scoring bonus for systems which include manufacturing to account for the added mass and volume?
There is no scoring bonus for including manufacturing in the Prototype Build Track. However, the judges will take into account whether the system includes manufacturing or not when they are evaluating teams on the Efficiency of the Recycling Process judging criteria.
Where can I find information about the NASA expected trash types and quantities for human lunar landing exploration or NASA ISS experience?
The challenge rules include all of the details related to waste categories and waste items that is needed for the challenge. Other information about past, current, or future NASA missions is not relevant to this challenge.
Can you elaborate more on the size and weight constraints of the solution? For a solution operating outside the habitat, is there no size/weight constraint?
As described in the Judging Criteria section of the challenge rules, the Estimated Mass and Volume of the System will be evaluated in the judging. Teams are encouraged to minimize mass, but there is no specific mass constraint for this challenge. For solutions operating outside on the lunar surface, there is no constraint on volume.
The challenge rules state that there is a volume limit for solutions operating inside a pressurized habitat. Is there a required configuration within the designated amount of space?
No, there is no required configuration. Teams may determine the configuration within the overall volume constraint.
What is the longest acceptable processing rate for any of the waste categories?
There is no specific restriction or requirement on the processing rate for this challenge. As discussed in the challenge rules, efficiency is a criteria that will be taken into account in the judging.
How can we reduce crew time in this challenge?
As described in the challenge rules, efficiency (including crew time) is a criteria that will be judged. The amount of crew time required in the team’s solution is up to the team to decide.
Can we assume that waste is already separated?
Yes, teams may assume that waste items are separated from other waste items in a category, and that waste categories are separated from each other. Sorting of waste is outside the scope of this challenge.
Are proposals that recycle a greater diversity of waste streams preferred to those that might more completely recycle a specific (say high volume) stream?
As stated in the challenge rules, teams will be judged on Net Waste Recycled, and teams will score higher or lower on this criteria based a few factors: the percentage of waste they can recycle; the difficulty level of the waste category or categories they choose; and the number of waste categories they choose. It is up to teams to determine how to optimize across these factors for their solution.
The waste item commercial equivalent table shows various products. Should we consider how to recycle the entire item or just the materials it contains?
The challenge is focused on recycling the waste items listed in the challenge rules Table 4, Solid Waste Categories and Items; the challenge is not focused on recycling the Waste Item Commercial Equivalents. Teams are not required to procure, analyze, use, test, or recycle the Waste Item Commercial Equivalents. The commercial equivalents have been provided only so that teams may understand the typical form factors of each waste item from Table 4 and procure commercially equivalent items to aid in design and testing, if they choose.
I read in the rules that microplastics are preferably to be avoided. If the generation of microplastics in intermediary steps is beneficial for the recycling process, but will not generate microplastics as a final product, would that be acceptable?
As stated in the challenge rules, teams should avoid the creation of any microplastics. However, a team will not be disqualified if their design creates microplastics (either as an intermediary step or as an unusable output), but it is something that the team must disclose and explain in their submission.
Are the four (4) EXPRESS racks for solutions operating inside a pressurized habitat, adjacent &/or on top of one another? Or should we assume they are all in separate locations? Do you have a suggestion as to the configuration of the four (4) EXPRESS racks?
There is no recommended configuration for solutions that operate inside a pressurized habitat. Teams may determine the configuration within the overall volume constraint.
The rules say about a luxury item astronauts would enjoy to have. Can you give any examples or direction to think about?
The reference to a “Simple Luxury Item” in the challenge rules is intended to be a fun and creative prompt for teams to consider. The simple luxury item could be anything; teams could consider what is an item that an astronaut might enjoy or find useful but that may not be a priority for NASA to transport to the lunar surface, perhaps because of its size, mass, or overall utility.
In the Digital Twin Track, what level of detail and fidelity is expected in the virtual models and simulations?
All of the technical requirements for the Digital Twin track are outlined in the challenge rules.
For Phase 1, do we need to prove our chemistry works in the physical world or is it ok to provide theoretical designs?
As described in the challenge rules, the level of verification between the model and real world physics/chemistry is a characteristic that will be judged. The level of verification in the team’s solution is up to the team to decide.
Are there specific software tools that are recommended for creating a digital twin solution?
There are no specific software tools recommended for creating a digital twin solution. Teams may use whatever tools they would like to use.
What tools are we allowed to use to create the simulation of the digital twin design?
There are no constraints on the tools that teams may use to create the simulation in the Digital Twin track.
Are there any examples of publicly available digital twins that potential competitors could look at as examples of the type of solution NASA is looking for?
We do not have any specific recommendations for examples of digital twins. The type of solution that NASA is looking for is one that successfully and robustly addresses all of the elements and criteria described in the challenge rules.
Does NASA expect us to develop IoT/Digital Twin platforms from scratch, or are we expected to use an existing commercial platform, like the ones presented at the webinar?
There is no expectation either way for this challenge. Teams may take whatever approach they prefer.
What level of AR/VR accuracy is expected in Phase 1 of the Digital Twin track? Our team is concerned about the cost to run the simulations.
As described in the challenge rules, accuracy is a characteristic that will be judged. The level of accuracy in the team’s solution is up to the team to decide.
