LunaRecycle RFI.pdf

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA)

CENTENNIAL CHALLENGES PROGRAM

LunaRecycle Challenge

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

1. PROGRAM BACKGROUND

The Centennial Challenges Program seeks to stimulate research and technology solutions to support NASA missions and inspire new national aerospace capabilities through public prize competitions. The program is an integral part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is innovating, developing, testing, and flying hardware for use in NASA's future missions.

For more information about NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/spacetech.

2. SUMMARY

The Centennial Challenges program is seeking input on the LunaRecycle challenge concept. In this Challenge, NASA seeks to incentivize the design and development of recycling solutions that can address physical waste streams and improve the sustainability of longer-term lunar missions.

This RFI seeks to: (1) gather feedback on the competition tasks and structure being considered; (2) gather feedback on the proposed prize amounts and distribution structure;

and (3) determine the interest level in potentially competing in, judging, and partnering with NASA to support this challenge. Specific information sought is detailed in Sections 6-8.

NASA welcomes all segments of industry, academia, and government, including associations, innovators, and enthusiasts to reply to this RFI. This RFI is for informational/planning purposes only and the Government will not be responsible for any cost associated with preparing information in support of this RFI. This RFI is NOT to be construed as a commitment by the government to enter into any agreement or other obligation or to conduct the Challenge. This notice is issued in accordance with the NASA Prize Authority, 51 U.S.C. § 20144. Responses may be made available for public review and should not include proprietary information. Submitted information will be shared within NASA and with contractor personnel associated with the NASA Centennial Challenges Program. All responses are to be for general access by government reviewers.

For general information on the NASA Centennial Challenges Program see:

http://www.nasa.gov/challenges. The point of contact is Ms. Kim Krome, Deputy Program Manager, Centennial Challenges Program, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, email:

kim.krome@nasa.gov.

http://www.nasa.gov/spacetech http://www.nasa.gov/challenges

3. BACKGROUND

As NASA prepares for future exploration-class human space missions, the need for novel considerations of waste streams, waste storage, and waste composition has emerged. NASA aims to develop technologies that allow for the responsible use of other planetary surfaces as well as maintainability and reuse of resources. Transporting and managing excess waste is unnecessary and costly for mission owners. Irresponsible management also has the potential to contaminate future research sites, damaging the legitimacy of scientific findings. Early habitats in exploratory missions will have limited space for crew and, in such confined spaces, waste streams introduce health concerns for astronauts. While previous efforts within the agency have focused on the reduction of trash mass and volume, future efforts will need to focus on the recycling of existing and future generated waste.

The LunaRecycle Challenge will seek to meet these needs by identifying and fostering the development and demonstration of novel technologies, systems, and/or approaches for the recycling of physical waste streams on the lunar surface.

This challenge will focus on recycling approaches for materials very similar to materials that we want to recycle terrestrially. It has the potential to highlight entirely novel approaches to recycling;

processes that improve energy efficiency and water efficiency; processes that reduce un-usable outputs and toxic emissions; and smaller-scale solutions that could be deployed in communities in a more distributed way than recycling facilities today. Each of these developments has the potential to influence and inspire better approaches and outcomes for terrestrial recycling in the future.

4. CHALLENGE DESCRIPTION

The LunaRecycle Challenge is expected to be a $3 million, two track, two-phase competition focused on the design and development of recycling solutions that can reduce physical waste streams and improve the sustainability of long-term lunar missions. Track 1 (Digital Twin) will require the development of a digital twin that accurately models a holistic recycling system for the lunar surface. Track 2 (Prototype Build) will require the design and development of novel recycling hardware that advances the current state-of-the-art. Teams may compete in either track or both tracks.

NASA has provided a Mission Scenario with technical details that teams must address in their solutions. In Phase 1, teams in each track will use a template to provide explanations, analyses, and data (as applicable) to describe their solutions. A judging panel will review the submissions and determine the Phase 1 winners according to the judging criteria described in the rules document. In Phase 2, competitors will continue to develop their concepts into a high a fidelity digital twin (in track 1) or into a functional prototype (track 2).

5. DRAFT COMPETITION STRUCTURE

• Team Registration – All teams must register by the given deadline to participate in the Challenge.

• Phase 1 – Initial Digital Twin/Hardware Design (9 months) o For track 1, teams will develop and submit a low-fidelity digital twin that demonstrates their recycling concept at a high level.

Up to 8 teams will win $50,000 each Evaluation Criteria:

• Completeness

• Innovation

• Net Waste Recycled

• Efficiency

• Architecture

• Key Characteristics

• Quality of Visualization o For track 2, competitors will provide a preliminary design of the system they plan to construct and demonstrate in Phase 2.

Up to 8 teams will win $75,000 each.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Completeness

• Innovation

• Net Waste Recycled

• Efficiency

• Feasibility

• Development Plan

• Phase 2 – High fidelity Digital Twin/ Prototype Build and Demonstration o Phase 2 is anticipated to be a multi-year, multi-level competition.

o Expected prize purses:

Track 1: $600,000 total Track 2: $1.4 million total

6. INFORMATION SOUGHT FROM TEAMS

This RFI seeks feedback on the anticipated competition structure, the prize amounts and distribution structure, and level of interest in competing in the Challenge. The draft Challenge Rules are included in this RFI.

Based upon responses to this RFI, NASA may decide to proceed with this Challenge, and finalize the written Rules document. This will include specific milestones, entrance, review and acceptance criteria and prize award criteria. The final Rules will be released when the Challenge opens for registration, and will be the official specification of the competition structure.

Responses on all sections are not required to submit a response, but more information will help with the overall formulation of the challenge. Specific requested information is below for both tracks. Please indicate in your response whether it applies to the Digital Twin Track, Prototype Track, or both.

a) Interest & Readiness:

• Are you interested in participating in this competition? If so, in the Prototype Build track, the Digital Twin track, or both?

o What type of skills do you think your team would need to compete?

If you do not have the skills you think you need, where would you recruit individuals and/or organizations with those skills?

What barriers limit your interest or ability to participate? How can these barriers be addressed in the timelines, requirements, and/or formulation of this Challenge?

Do you have a relevant digital twin or recycling prototype ready or nearly ready to participate in this Challenge?

If yes, what level of development and investment is needed before your system is ready to participate in the Challenge?

o Would you or your organization be interested in participating as a judge or event partner (if not interested in competing)?

o Are there specific emerging breakthrough technologies that are applicable to the Challenge goals?

o What messaging could we use to excite the public? Can you envision any specific demonstrations that would be exciting to the public?

o What actions could be taken to increase interest from potential competitors in following and participating in this Challenge?

What channels could the Challenge be promoted through? For example, social media channels, groups, community of practice, etc.

o NASA is interested in encouraging individuals who may have part but not all of the required solutions to team up. What are some mechanisms we might use to do so and help enable strong and competitive Teams?

o What Earth (terrestrial) applications do you think would benefit from the technical requirements in this Challenge? Do you see any near-term Earth applications?

b) Competition Structure:

• Are the goals reasonable in relation to the schedule?

• Are the deadlines for Registration and Concept Design submissions sufficient for forming a team and developing a submission?

c) Technical Requirements

• Are the technical performance goals too audacious? Not audacious enough?

• Are there any specific technical requirements that would dissuade an otherwise credible and competitive Team from submitting?

• Are there performance attributes beyond those summarized in Section XX, such as minimizing resource usage, exceeding requirements, etc., that should be incentivized and rewarded with bonuses?

• Should teams be required to design for/address lunar dust or other environmental conditions not already included?

• Among the waste items listed in the rules document, are some significantly easier or more difficult to recycle compared to others? Should the challenge reward teams for recycling more difficult items? If so, how?

d) Rules and Requirements

• As currently drafted, are the Phase 1 Rules clear for:

o Eligibility?

o Submission requirements?

o How submissions will be evaluated by the judging panel?

e) Competition Awards:

• NASA is considering awarding up to $1million USD in prizes to be distributed across Phase 1 for both the Prototype Build track ($600,000) and the Digital Twin track ($400,000). Is this prize structure sufficient to incentivize potential teams? If not, what would be?

• Are there alternative nonmonetary activities (e.g., discussions with NASA subject matter experts, use of NASA testing facilities, road shows, education, association with NASA or the sponsors, etc.) that would provide sufficient incentives to compete? For example, prize amounts, education, testing at NASA facilities, association with NASA and/or the sponsors, etc.? Why are these valuable to you?

7. RESPONSES TO THE RFI

Responses to this RFI must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on August 2, 2024.

To: Ms. Kim Krome at e-mail address:

HQ-STMD-CentennialChallenges@mail.nasa.gov CC: kim.krome@nasa.gov Subject Line: “LunaRecycle Challenge Phase 1 Rules RFI Response”

Responses should be submitted in Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word format and are limited to five

(5) pages in length. Responses should include: name, address, email address, and phone number of the responding individual, business, or organization, with point of contact for business or organization.

8. FURTHER INFORMATION:

Questions or requests specific to this RFI may be submitted prior to the closing date

To: Ms. Kim Krome at e-mail address:

HQ-STMD-CentennialChallenges@mail.nasa.gov

CC: kim.krome@nasa.go Subject Line: “LunaRecycle Challenge Phase 1 RFI Questions”

For general information on the NASA Centennial Challenges Program see:

http://www.nasa.gov/solve.