NASA has established the LunaRecycle Challenge, a new competition that will provide a $3 million prize fund to inventors who develop groundbreaking recycling technology for deep space missions. This effort is consistent with NASA’s vision for a long-term human presence on the Moon and future space exploration beyond Earth.
The competition seeks energy-efficient, low-mass, and low-impact recycling solutions for inorganic waste such as food packaging, abandoned clothing, and scientific experiment materials. Unlike past contests that aimed to reduce waste mass and volume, the LunaRecycle challenge focuses on transforming trash into usable resources for space operations, advancing both on-surface and in-space production.
The competition includes two unique tracks: Prototype Build, which focuses on constructing actual hardware and systems, and Digital Twin, which challenges contestants to design virtual models of recycling systems. This dual approach attempts to encourage widespread engagement from innovators around the world.
NASA is focussing on three important areas with this initiative: habitat logistics tracking and trash management, manufacturing parts and goods from recycled materials, and space-based production from repurposed waste.
Amy Kaminski, program executive for NASA’s Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing program, emphasises the challenge’s larger benefits, pointing out that sustainable space operations may inspire advances in waste management on Earth.
