NASA is on a mission to find creative people who can help design a rescue system for astronauts in case they get stuck on the Moon. They are offering up to $20,000 for the best idea that will safely carry an astronaut, who is already in a spacesuit, over the Moon’s tough landscape.
As part of NASA’s Artemis mission, they plan to send astronauts to the Moon by September 2026. The agency knows that there could be emergencies where an astronaut might get hurt or need urgent help. In those situations, another astronaut would need a good way to get them back safely to their landing spot.
Sarah Duglas from NASA explained that the Moon is a challenging place. There are many rocks and deep craters, and getting around is hard, especially if someone is in trouble. NASA is specifically asking for designs that can transport a fully suited astronaut at least 2 kilometers up a slope of 20 degrees without using a rover.
Because the astronaut’s spacesuit is heavy, it won’t be easy for another astronaut to carry them. So, they need a smart, technical solution that can work in the Moon’s tough South Pole conditions while not depending on a rover.
The competition is open until January 23, 2025, and you can submit your ideas on the HeroX portal. A panel of NASA experts will judge the ideas based on factors like weight and ease of use. For more information, you can check out their official website.
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