Proposed is a lunar caves analog test sites, lcats program for science investigations, space exploration mission operations, technology development, and habitability system architectures for space…

This is a grant awarded by NASA's Shared Services Center to the WEX Foundation, a minority-owned non-profit organization, for the "Lunar Caves Analog Test Sites (LCATS) Program for Science Investigations, Space Exploration Mission Operations, Technology Development, and Habitability System Architectures for Space STEM Learning Performance." The grant, valued at $1,243,125.00, is focused on engaging middle and high school students in hands-on activities and collaborative problem-solving to address real-world space exploration technology challenges. The program utilizes local Texas caves as analog environments for simulated mission operations and student experiments. The grant is not associated with a larger contract vehicle and does not have a set-aside designation. This award aligns with NASA's mission directorates in human exploration, science, and technology development, and aims to inspire and educate the next generation of space professionals.

Proposed is a lunar caves analog test sites, lcats program for science investigations, space exploration mission operations, technology development, and habitability system architectures for space stem, s stem, learning performance. The lcats program environment engages a pipeline of motivated middle and high school students to assist aerospace professionals solve realworld space exploration technology development challenges. Intensive hacker workshops employing collaborative knowledge, critical thinking, and problem solving are conducted for pre freshman, prep, student teams led by undergraduate interns acting as team mentors, team leaders and supported by professional subject matter experts to guide students in development of innovative hands on applications that provide practical solutions for lunar mission architecture challenges. The lcats program allows students to form student consulting teams for a potential 3 year experience of cohorts to address space architecture technology challenges for an actual commercial lunar exploration, mining, and human settlement project as applied to the various growth phases of the LEAP2 site development program for the lunar PIT these phases begin with remote sensing and satellite missions, then site characterization and reconnaissance mission scenarios of robotic and crewed missions, and culminate with space architecture designs for eventual habitation and human settlement. Local texas caves in the area and region are utilized as analog environments for fielding student experiments and technology challenges through simulated mission operations. These project based, mission oriented, field tested student learning experiences are intended to address technical content and education priorities which align with NASA mission directorates heomd, SMD, and stmd.