NASA has announced a $1 million competition inviting students across the United States to develop ideas for a future Moon base where astronauts could eventually live and work.
The American space agency announced the Moon Base Student Challenge on Sunday, November 8, during a MAX POWER event at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. (Also read: NASA astronaut Anil Menon shares timelapse and real-time footage of aurora and night orbit in space. Watch ) The competition is open to teams from eligible US high schools and post-secondary institutions, with up to $1 million in prizes available for innovative solutions addressing challenges associated with living on the Moon.
“We’re looking for students ready to think creatively, work as a team, and take on real problems connected to NASA’s future on the Moon,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
What will students have to design?
NASA plans to establish a permanent base near the Moon’s South Pole, allowing astronauts to conduct research, test technologies and prepare for future crewed missions to Mars. “Students bring exactly the bold ideas that we’re looking for, and I’m looking forward to their fresh perspective. Ultimately, Moon Base is for them, people who will experience a world where humans are on the Moon to stay.”
“As we build and design the foundations of Moon Base, we want to leverage all the ingenuity and innovation to think of every consideration our explorers might need to live and work there,” said Carlos García-Galán, manager of NASA’s Moon Base Program.
