NASA is seeking innovative solutions to its lunar rescue system challenge, which aims to transport an incapacitated astronaut across the moon’s surface. The agency has opened a design competition for civilian scientists, with potential winners receiving up to $20,000.
The “South Pole Safety: Designing the NASA Lunar Rescue System” challenge focuses on creating equipment and procedures for rescuing an injured or stranded astronaut at least 2 km away from their landing site. This requires a system that can handle steep slopes of up to 20 degrees and extreme temperatures ranging from -203°C to 54°C.
Applicants must design a rescue system that weighs less than 50 lbs, occupies minimal space when stored, and is easy to deploy and use. The ideal solution should employ materials capable of withstanding the lunar environment’s conditions and be adaptable to different body sizes.
A successful application will emphasize practicality in an emergency scenario, ensuring rapid deployment and effective functionality. Judges are particularly interested in designs for a sled-like or wheeled lunar medical stretcher that can transport and stabilize the incapacitated astronaut while navigating challenging terrain.
If you think you have innovative ideas for this critical mission, NASA invites you to submit your proposals here.
Source: https://www.popsci.com/science/nasa-lunar-rescue-system