Design Challenge

Students are asked to design a tool or an instrument that will help astronauts perform tasks on the Moon.  Students are free to select a task from the list below and to check back in October to see if additional choices have been added.

• Navigation in the darkness around the Moon's south pole
• Power supplies for rovers in the dark
• Sample retrieval and on-site analysis
• Radiation detection and avoidance
• Communication with lunar outpost, with orbiters, and with Earth
• Video capture of sorties for transmission back to Earth
• Astronaut recovery and transport back to outpost
• Lunar regolith mitigation strategies for rover and space suits

Quick Facts:

• Contest is open to any full time student enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution including universities, colleges, trade schools, community colleges, professional schools, etc.  
• Contest is limited to US institutions only.
• Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged, across departments and institutions. 

Prizes:
We plan provide travel stipends for winning teams to attend the next set of lunar technology mission tests in the summer or fall of 2009.  More details will be posted as they become available.  As with all NASA contests, prizes are subject to available funds.

Important Dates:
Notice of intent by December 15, 2008
Final entry is due on or before May 15, 2009
Results should be announced on or before June 15, 2009