NASA is offering a $20,000 prize for the best idea in its South Pole Safety Challenge: Lunar Rescue System. The initiative aims to find a solution to safely return an astronaut who becomes incapacitated on the harsh and unforgiving surface of the moon.
The challenge is part of a larger prize pool of $45,000, and the solution must be practical, easy to use by one person, and capable of safely carrying an injured astronaut up to 2 km across the lunar surface.
NASA’s Artemis mission plans to have astronauts exploring the south pole of the moon as early as 2026. The region is likely to have important resources such as water-ice, but the surface presents major challenges.
The moon’s atmosphere is extreme, with temperatures ranging from -203°C to 54°C, low gravity, and dangerous terrain filled with rocks and craters. If an astronaut is injured, he or she could be stranded far from his or her base, and getting him or her back safely is a major concern.
Requirements for the rescue system
The rescue system must be easy to deploy, weigh little, and allow an astronaut to carry an incapacitated crew member over rough terrain.
The astronaut must be able to carry his or her companion up to 2 km, up a slope of up to 20 degrees, without relying on a lunar rover. NASA has made it clear that given the harsh conditions of the moon, the system must work independently of any vehicle.
Why the South Pole
The moon’s south pole is a prime location for exploration, as it is likely to contain water-ice that could provide a vital resource for astronauts. NASA hopes to extract water for drinking, cooling, and even making oxygen and fuel.
However, the terrain in the region is difficult to navigate, with large rocks and deep craters making travel challenging even under optimal conditions.