Fri Dec 06 11:51:46 UTC 2024: **NASA Launches $45,000 Competition to Design Lunar Rescue System**
**Washington, D.C.** – NASA is seeking innovative solutions to a critical challenge in its upcoming Artemis lunar missions: rescuing an incapacitated astronaut from the lunar south pole. The agency has announced a competition, “South Pole Safety: Designing the NASA Lunar Rescue System,” offering a total of $45,000 in prize money, with $20,000 awarded to the winning design.
The challenge stems from the difficulty of transporting a fully-suited astronaut (weighing approximately 125 lbs on the Moon, but still significantly bulky) over challenging terrain, potentially up to two kilometers across a 20-degree incline. The rescue system must operate autonomously, without relying on a rover, and withstand the extreme temperature variations and harsh conditions of the lunar south pole, including razor-sharp regolith and the risk of micrometeoroid impacts.
Submissions, which must include a detailed design document, are being accepted through the HeroX platform until January 23, 2025. A panel of experts, including NASA engineers, will evaluate entries based on factors including mass, ease of use, and impact on spacesuit design. The successful design could one day play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of Artemis astronauts.
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