The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is preparing to announce competitions focused on technology and space exploration. The prize money is substantial, ranging from $500,000 to $5 million for each award.
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Future Space Elevator (Photo: VNN) |
Commonly referred to as the Millennium Challenge Program, this round features six new challenges that are technically more difficult than previous ones. In return, the prize amounts are significantly higher.
Brant Sponberg, the program director, stated: ‘We hope that in addition to serving NASA’s activities, the products from these competitions will lay the foundation for commercial and private space endeavors’.
The six challenges are:
– Fuel Tank: NASA offers a $5 million prize for those who design and construct a tank that can hold liquid oxygen and hydrogen. This tank will be used to refuel spacecraft in low Earth orbit.
– Moon Lander: The winner must create the most convenient, safe, sturdy, and reliable vehicle that can transport astronauts across all terrains on the Moon. The prize is $1 million.
– Low-Cost Space Suit: According to the guidelines released on February 7th, $500,000 will be awarded to anyone who designs a safe, efficient, and affordable pressure space suit. This suit will be used for future commercial spacecraft.
– Mini Spacecraft: The spacecraft must successfully transport at least six unbroken chicken eggs from low Earth orbit to a designated area on Earth to win $2 million.
– Solar Sail: $2.5 million will be awarded to the creator of a solar sail that is propelled in space towards a defined target by solar photon pressure. An additional $2.5 million will be awarded if the sail remains at a fixed point in space for 90 days.
– Power Source on the Moon: To earn this $500,000 prize, a team must be the first to create a rechargeable battery system that can provide power for more than one lunar night (approximately 14 Earth days). The battery must also meet compact size and heat dissipation requirements.
The official rules and deadlines for these six new challenges are yet to be announced. NASA will be gathering feedback until March 27th.
Additionally, NASA is researching another challenge – the first private flight to put humans into orbit. Individuals or teams participating must construct a three-person spacecraft at a relatively low cost, around $100-150 million.
The Millennium Challenge competitions were launched in October 2005, with 10 teams participating in building a space elevator. However, no team won the $50,000 prize. This year, the prize money for this space elevator competition will be $200,000.
Other challenges, such as creating a new generation glove for astronauts, have also been announced previously. Organizers are optimistic that these competitions will stimulate creativity, inspire the industry, and engage the public in helping NASA push the boundaries of technology and traditional thinking.
Minh Sơn
