NASA Challenge To Save Astronauts Like Sunita Williams Can Earn You Rs 16.6 Lakh; Know Details

NASA Challenge To Save Astronauts Like Sunita Williams Can Earn You Rs 16.6 Lakh; Know Details
As humanity prepares for a new era of lunar exploration, NASA is taking bold steps to ensure the safety of its astronauts on the Moon.With the ambitious Artemis program set to return humans to the lunar surface in the coming years, the space agency is focused on addressing one of the most critical challenges: how to rescue astronauts in the event of an emergency. To tackle this problem, NASA is offering a USD 20,000 prize to innovators who can devise the most effective plan for safely transporting stranded crew members across the Moon’s harsh and unforgiving landscape.
This challenge is part of NASA’s broader efforts to develop a Lunar Rescue System, which would be capable of retrieving astronauts who become incapacitated or stranded far from their base. The system must be designed to navigate the Moon’s rugged terrain while accommodating astronauts in full spacesuits, ensuring that the rescue operation can be carried out under the unique and extreme conditions of the lunar environment.
The South Pole Safety Challenge: Lunar Rescue System competition invites designs to transport an incapacitated astronaut over two kilometres, including steep 20-degree inclines, without using a rover. The challenge is heightened by the Moon’s harsh environment, featuring sharp rocks, craters, and extreme temperatures.NASA
South Pole Safety Challenge
Sarah Duglas of NASA emphasised the challenging landscape of the Moon’s South Pole, chosen for its potential water-ice reserves, which underscores the need for effective rescue systems during emergencies. Submissions for the South Pole Safety Challenge are open until January 23, 2025, with a USD 45,000 prize pool.
The competition aims to ensure safe astronaut recovery while maintaining the functionality of their Axiom suits. Designs will be evaluated based on weight, usability, and compatibility with the lunar environment and the suits.NASAISRO’s PSLV-C59 launches ESA’s Proba-3 to study the Sun’s mysterious corona