Eligibility | IP/Legal | Technical | NASA | Where Do I Find | Other/Misc
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.
I understand that the competition currently has age restrictions that prevent participants under 18 from entering. I’m really interested in this field and would love to contribute my skills and ideas. Are there any plans to introduce categories or opportunities in future competitions that would allow younger participants to showcase their talents? It would be great to know if there are ways for us to get involved and gain experience!
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.
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.
Our team is based in the U.S. However, the company is also manufacturing in overseas. Can we manufacture the prototype in another country?
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.
I am a university professor and am planning on forming a team with a group of students to participate in this challenge. In this case are we representing the university or are we representing ourselves as individuals? In addition, 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.
Our team leader will be a US. citizen, but part of the team will be international students. Will the team still be eligible for a prize purse?
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.
My team and I would like to participate in the challenge. Many of us are international students. My question is, 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.
Can a university professor be a Team Leader?
Yes, a university professor can be a Team Leader.
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.
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.
Would an international team having a U.S. Citizen Team Leader and U.S. Citizen members, but also including some foreign members, be eligible for the prize?
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 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.
Is a team of students working through a university research lab eligible for prize money towards the lab if the team is comprised of international students and U.S. citizens?
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.
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.
Can unaffiliated individuals participate without being part of an organization or institution?
Yes, the challenge is open to eligible individuals. 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.
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 there a limit on the number of team members allowed?
No, there is no limit on the number of eligible team members allowed.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is the use of AI for ideas allowed in the challenge?
The challenge rules do not prohibit the use of AI software or tools.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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/.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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/.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Is there a preferred voltage for control circuits ? For load circuits?
No, we will not be requiring any specific voltage ranges in Phase 1 of this challenge.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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: https://lunarecyclechallenge.ua.edu/.
How often will webinars be held?
We plan to hold at least two additional webinars between now and March 2025. You can sign up to receive updates, including about any future webinars at the challenge website: https://lunarecyclechallenge.ua.edu/.
Who should I contact if I have further questions?
Please direct all questions to lunarecycle@ua.edu. Questions sent to any other email address or individual will not be addressed.
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/.
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 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!
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 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.
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.
What are the important dates for the LunaRecycle Challenge?
Here is a tentative competition calendar
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| September 30, 2024 | Phase 1 registration opens |
| October 2024 – March 2025 | Webinars and team recruitment activities |
| March 31, 2025 | Deadline for Phase 1 registration and submission |
| May 2025 | Phase 1 winner’s announcement |
| Note: All deadlines are at 4:00 PM Eastern on the specified date. | |
I’d like to participate – how do I get started?
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.
I just registered for the Challenge, what’s my next step?
Thanks for registering. Please look out for an email from the Challenge Administrators accepting the registration or asking for missing or additional documentation.
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/
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 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 |
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 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.
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.
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 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
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.
Who is eligible to participate as a U.S. or International Team?
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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 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.
Can individuals under 18 compete?
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
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.
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.
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.
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?
We are unable to provide such a list. It is a Team’s responsibility to understand the eligibility requirements.
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.
Will the list of competing Teams be available on the website?
We plan to publish the list of Teams on the website after the registration deadline.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
