illuminating science

NASA has just unveiled its Centennial Challenges, prizes and grants which will be awarded for major advancements in space travel, particularly commercial applications. Heading the list, courtesy of New Scientist are:

The Fuel Depot Demonstration Challenge: NASA suggests a $5 million purse for a liquid hydrogen and oxygen storage tank that can transfer fuel to other vehicles in low Earth orbit

The Human Lunar All Terrain Vehicle Challenge: The winner must outperform other teams in the challenge by developing the most agile, convenient, safe and reliable lunar ATV for astronauts. The winners could pocket a cool $1 million

The Low-Cost Space Pressure Suit Challenge: Under the draft rules, $500,000 would be awarded for the production of a safe, effective and marketable space pressure suit for future commercial space vehicles

The Lunar Night Power Source Challenge: To scoop a $500,000 prize, a team must be the first to demonstrate a rechargeable power source that provides power over one lunar night (approximately 14 Earth days) while meeting size and heat requirements

The Micro Re-entry Vehicle Challenge: The vehicle must deliver at least six (of an original dozen) hens eggs unscathed from low Earth orbit back to a target area on Earth to collect $2 million

The Station-Keeping Solar Sail Challenge: A solar sail pushed through space by the force of the Sun’s photons to a target could earn $2. 5 million with an equal amount available for keeping a solar sail for 90 days at a fixed point in space.

I think the most interesting ones are the solar sail challenge (which is just a really cool application of technology) and the lunar power challenge. The latter is especially important because it requires storing (presumably efficiently) large amounts power over a 2 weeks, and then using it gradually, again over two weeks. One of our biggest problems with renewable energy sources is storing the power - batteries are horribly inefficient (like, 5% of power used to charge the battery actually gets out). For example, in hydroelectricity, the most efficient way of storing electricity is to pump water back up the hill, so it can generate more electricity on the way down again! An efficient battery could have tremendous potential far beyond the surface of the moon.

Oh, and the “Micro Re-energy Vehicle Challenge” is one of the cleverest marketing ploys ever! It’s a great, visible image that people can relate to, there’s lots of good headlines (”Eggciting research for Eggsplorers”) and it is also a project of great practical importance for delivery of payloads and even general vehicles. It reminds me a lot of competitions I’ve done where you have to build something out of straws and sticky tape which will help an egg survive a 10 metre fall! Same thing, just a little bit further and slightly better equipment, right?

Have a good weekend all.