SPACE (KXAN) — NASA needs some help with frozen liquid. As part of the space agency’s planned trip to the moon as part of the Artemis mission, NASA is looking for a way to store “super-chilled” propellants for months on end.
They’re asking college students for help.
Announced earlier this month, NASA’s 2025 Human Lander Challenge (HuLC) is open for submissions. The competition, now in its second year, is asking for students to develop innovative methods for “in-space cryogenic liquid storage.”
According to NASA, cryogenic propellants are very important for long term space travel. They must remain super cool in order to remain in a liquid state. The fluids that must be stored include liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, which are used as propellent in spacecraft.
Landing on the moon
The point of the competition is to develop the Human Landing System (HLS). Essentially the newest form of the lunar lander, the HLS will serve as transportation to and from the lunar surface. They must also function as habitats.
NASA awarded a contract to SpaceX to develop one of these next-gen landers. That company will launch one uncrewed mission to the surface to ensure the HLS works before humans ride the craft aboard Artemis III.
NASA is still seeking other partnerships to develop HLS. They hope that they can increase competition, reducing costs on taxpayers and increase travel to the lunar surface by having multiple companies working on the program.
Austin-based Firefly Aerospace will also be launching a mission to the moon. Their Blue Ghost lander will bring supplies and equipment to the lunar surface.
Competition at the college level
HuLC is open to undergraduate and graduate students at accredited colleges and universities. Teams must submit a Notice of Intent by October 6, 2024. A proposal package must be submitted by teams by March 3, 2025.
Up to 12 teams will be selected as finalists, each receiving $9,250 to further develop their plan.
Plans will be presented in June 2025 at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. The top three teams will share a $18,000 prize.
Teams are being asked to develop plans in one of the following categories:
- On-Orbit Cryogenic Propellant Transfer
- Microgravity Mass Tracking of Cryogenics
- Large Surface Area Radiative Insulation
- Advanced Structural Supports for Heat Reduction
- Automated Cryo-Couplers for Propellant Transfer
- Low Leakage Cryogenic Components.
You can learn more about the program and how to submit at NASA’s website.