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NASA is offering $17 million to anyone in the world who can think of an innovative solution to a problem that has persisted since 1969

Written by Deborah Araújo
Published 12/11/2024 às 10:20
NASA is offering $17 million to anyone in the world who can think of an innovative solution to a problem that has persisted since 1969
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Space Challenge: With prizes of up to R$17 million, NASA seeks solutions to transform human waste into useful resources during space missions.

Ever since NASA put the first astronauts on the moon in 1969, one question has remained unsolved: how to deal with human waste in space? Feces and urine may seem like small details compared to the magnitude of a space mission, but this waste problem is a serious concern. To prevent contamination and ensure the health of astronauts, NASA is now asking for help in solving this space challenge.

But what exactly is at stake? And why is there still no definitive solution to this? Let’s dive into the challenge that NASA has set and understand why it is so important for the future of space exploration.

The problem of waste in space

Zero gravity in space brings a number of complications. When we’re on Earth, managing human waste is easy, as gravity does the job of keeping everything in place. In space, however, the lack of gravity creates a completely different scenario.

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Os astronauts They can't just use toilets like we do here. What may seem simple becomes a much bigger problem when feces and urine are allowed to float freely inside a spaceship.

In NASA's early missions, such as the famous Apollo missions, engineers and aeronautical experts were unable to effectively solve this problem. To give you an idea, during the missions to the Moon, 96 bags of human waste were left on the lunar surface! Yes, that's right: along with Neil Armstrong's footprints and the lunar module, there are bags of trash there.

And now, with NASA planning to return to the Moon with the Artemis missions, this space challenge is back. Solving the space debris problem has become essential to ensuring that these missions can be conducted in a sustainable and safe manner.

NASA offers up to R$17 million to anyone who solves the waste problem

To address this issue, NASA launched the “LunaRecycle Challenge“, a game-changing competition in space waste management. The competition offers prizes of up to $3 million (about R$17 million) to anyone who can develop innovative technologies that can efficiently recycle or manage human waste during long-duration space missions.

The idea is simple: find a solution that allows us to transform human waste into useful products, helping to reduce the environmental impact during space exploration and also making life easier for astronauts. The challenge is divided into two categories:

  • Prototype Build Track: Focused on building prototypes that deal with solid waste, transforming it into something useful.
  • Digital Twin Track: Here, the focus is on developing virtual systems to simulate waste recycling on the lunar surface.

The contest aims to encourage solutions that are practical for both space and Earth. Yes, NASA’s ultimate goal is for innovative ideas generated for space to also be applicable here on our planet. After all, waste management is a global problem that affects both space and the Earth environment.

Why is solving the space waste problem important?

The answer may seem obvious, but the challenge of dealing with waste in space goes far beyond hygiene issues. On long space missions, such as future expeditions to the Moon and Mars, the amount of time astronauts spend in space will increase. This means that the volume of waste will also increase, making it crucial to create a sustainable and efficient solution.

NASA has always sought to operate sustainably in its missions, and this includes the way it handles waste. Amy Kaminski, NASA’s program executive for Awards, Challenges and Crowdsourcing, highlighted the importance of sustainability in this context. According to her, operating sustainably both on Earth and in space is one of the agency’s top priorities.

That’s why NASA is looking for new ideas that can help turn waste into resources. Creating systems that convert waste into water or energy, for example, could be revolutionary for long-term space exploration. And of course, solving this problem in space could also mean major advances in waste management here on Earth.

Participation is open to individuals, startups, universities and teams from anywhere in the world.

The most interesting thing about the LunaRecycle Challenge is that anyone can participate. Yes, you don’t have to be a renowned scientist or rocket engineer to have a great idea and compete for the prizes. The challenge is open to individuals, startups, universities, and teams from anywhere in the world who can come up with a creative solution to this waste problem.

Registrations can be made until January 30, 2025, through University of Alabama website, which is coordinating the competition in partnership with AI Spacefactory. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the future of space exploration, as well as develop solutions that can directly benefit Earth.

The LunaRecycle Challenge is further proof that NASA is always looking to the future and ways to make space exploration more efficient, safe and sustainable. Solving the problem of waste in space is not just a technical issue, but an essential step in ensuring that humanity can explore new worlds responsibly.

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John of Jesus Teixeira
John of Jesus Teixeira
12/11/2024 18:32

I know how to solve this problem of human waste in space

Geraldo
Geraldo
In reply to  John of Jesus Teixeira
12/11/2024 18:51

Really? Tell me a little about it.

Paul Guimaraes
Paul Guimaraes
In reply to  John of Jesus Teixeira
15/11/2024 23:20

Talk talk talk, just don't play in Brasilia

Christopher de Souza
Christopher de Souza
12/11/2024 19:36

Just vaporize everything and use the remaining gas as an energy source.

Marcos Aurelius
Marcos Aurelius
In reply to  Christopher de Souza
13/11/2024 15:32

Dude, great idea, but sign up for the project or someone will copy your idea and take the big bucks. LOL

Fábio
Fábio
In reply to  Christopher de Souza
14/11/2024 18:16

There is no possibility for this, the pressure does not allow changing mass to gas.

Lok Trade
Lok Trade
In reply to  Fábio
14/11/2024 20:50

It doesn't change the mass!!

Kdelo da naza
Kdelo da naza
In reply to  Lok Trade
15/11/2024 23:44

You not only lost the 17m but you also lost 17m of Áurea with this comment

Fabricio NAZA
Fabricio NAZA
In reply to  Christopher de Souza
14/11/2024 22:08

Congratulations you just won 17 million

Roycondecer@gmail.com
Roycondecer@gmail.com
12/11/2024 20:53

Too much pressure in the rod pumps and the distribution hoses need to be serviced

ADEMIR DE SOUZA LEITE
ADEMIR DE SOUZA LEITE
12/11/2024 21:33

The fashion now is for everyone to carry their BACKPACKS ON THEIR BACK, THE ROCKET COULD ALSO BRING THE SUBSTANCES TO EARTH, SOMEWHERE **** ON THE ROCKET.

Pablo Vitor Moreira Lima Pereira
Pablo Vitor Moreira Lima Pereira
12/11/2024 22:07

We can use human waste like feces for artificial cultivation like for example in North Korea where they use human feces as a way for plants to grow scientists have proven that this works, and we can also use waste like urine can be used as an energy if transformed into gas

Deborah Araújo

I write about renewable energy, automobiles, science and technology, industry and the main trends in the job market. With a close eye on global developments and daily updates, I am dedicated to always sharing relevant information.

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