The In Situ Resource Utilisation Challenge offers the public an opportunity to submit designs for structures on Mars that would use existing material. The agency plans to award $10,000 to the first-place winner, with $2500 each for two second-place submissions.
“NASA’s newest challenge is yet another stellar example of the agency’s commitment to harnessing the ingenuity of citizens as we seek to expand the frontiers of knowledge, capability and opportunity in space,” said NASA’s chief scientist Ellen Stofan. “NASA recognises that our success will be enhanced greatly by involving people with all kinds of knowledge, skill sets and ideas in our work.”
One advantage of using resources from the planet instead of bringing everything from Earth is the potential to save more than $100,000 per kilogram of cargo each launch.
“In situ resource utilisation is key to our exploration of the universe,” said Robert Mueller, senior technologist at Swamp Works, a NASA lab dedicated to finding creative solutions for the problems that come with deep space exploration. “We must find ways to make what we need once we are at our destination. For example, the soil on Mars could be used to make modular structural building blocks to make shelters, landing pads and other useful structures. We are looking for creative and novel solutions from all types of people.”
For more information about the challenge, and details on how to apply, click here.
