Jump to content
Join the Alien Search, login or register FREE on Aliens and Space Forum
Members Can Post Anonymously On This Site

Northwestern University Takes Top Honors in BIG Idea Lunar Inflatables Challenge 

NASA

By NASA
in NASA

 Share

Recommended Posts

  • Publishers
NASA Mentor

NASA

Posted
  • Publishers
Posted

Following eight months of intense research, design, and prototyping, six university teams presented their “Inflatable Systems for Lunar Operations” concepts to a panel of judges at NASA’s 2024 Breakthrough, Innovative and Game-Changing (BIG) Idea Challenge forum. 

The challenge, funded by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and Office of STEM Engagement, seeks novel ideas from higher education on a new topic each year and supports the agency’s Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative in developing new approaches and innovative technologies to pave the way for successful exploration on the surface of the Moon. This year, teams were asked to develop low Size, Weight, and Power inflatable technologies, structures and systems that could benefit future Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond. 

Taking top honors at this year’s forum receiving the Artemis Award was Northwestern University with National Aerospace Corporation & IMS Engineered Products, with their concept titled METALS: Metallic Expandable Technology for Artemis Lunar Structures. The Artemis Award is given to the team whose concept has the best potential to contribute to and be integrated into an Artemis mission.  

northwestern-8d35e3.jpg?w=2048
The Northwestern University BIG Idea Challenge team developed METALS, an inflatable metal concept for long-term storage of cryogenic fluid on the Moon. The concept earned the Artemis Award, top honors in NASA’s 2024 BIG Idea Challenge.
Credit: National Institute of Aerospace

The Artemis Award is a generous recognition of the potential impact that our work can have. We hope it can be a critical part of the Artemis Program moving forward. We’re exceptionally grateful to have the opportunity to engage directly with NASA in research for the Artemis Program in such a direct way while we’re still students.” 

Julian Rocher

Julian Rocher

Team co-lead for Northwestern University

METALS is an inflatable system for long term cryogenic fluid storage on the Moon. Stacked layers of sheet metal are welded along their aligned edges, stacked inside a rocket, and inflated once on the lunar surface. The manufacturing process is scalable, reliable, and simple. Notably, METALS boasts superior performance in the harsh lunar environment, including resistance against radiation, abrasion, micrometeorites, gas permeability, and temperature extremes.

Northwestern University team members pose with lunar inflatable prototypes from their METALS project in NASA’s 2024 BIG Idea Challenge.
Northwestern University team members pose with lunar inflatable prototypes from their METALS project in NASA’s 2024 BIG Idea Challenge.
Credit: Northwestern University

We learned to ask the right questions, and we learned to question what is the status quo and to go above and beyond and think outside the box. It’s a special mindset for everyone to have on this team… it’s what forces us to innovate.” 

Trevor Abbott

Trevor Abbott

Team co-lead for Northwestern University

Arizona State University took home the 2024 BIG Idea Challenge Systems Engineering prize for their project, AEGIS: Inflatable Lunar Landing Pad System. The AEGIS system is designed to deflect the exhaust gasses of lunar landers thereby reducing regolith disturbances generated during landing. The system is deployed on the lunar surface where it uses 6 anchors in its base to secure itself to the ground. Once inflated to its deployed size of 14 m in diameter, AEGIS provides a reusable precision landing zone for incoming landers.

54091224543-1354aa05a5-o.jpg?w=2048
Arizona State University earned the Systems Engineering prize for their BIG Idea Challenge project: AEGIS: Inflatable Lunar Landing Pad System.
Arizona State University


This year’s forum was held in tandem with the Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium’s (LSIC) Fall Meeting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where students had the opportunity to network with NASA and industry experts, attend LSIC panels and presentations, and participate in the technical poster session. The consortium provides a forum for NASA to communicate technological requirements, needs, and opportunities, and for the community to share with NASA existing capabilities and critical gaps. 

We felt that hosting this year’s BIG Idea Forum in conjunction with the LSIC Fall Meeting would be an exciting opportunity for these incredibly talented students to network with today’s aerospace leaders in government, industry, and academia. Their innovative thinking and novel contributions are critical skills required for the successful development of the technologies that will drive exploration on the Moon and beyond.” 

Niki Werkheiser

Niki Werkheiser

Director of Technology Maturation in NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate

In February, teams submitted proposal packages, from which six finalists were selected for funding of up to $150,000 depending on each team’s prototype and budget. The finalists then worked for eight months designing, developing, and demonstrating their concepts. The 2024 BIG Idea program concluded at its annual forum, where teams presented their results and answered questions from judges. Experts from NASA, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, and other aerospace companies evaluated the student concepts based on technical innovation, credibility, management, and the teams’ verification testing. In addition to the presentation, the teams provided a technical paper and poster detailing their proposed inflatable system for lunar operations. 

Year after year, BIG Idea student teams spend countless hours working on tough engineering design challenges. Their dedication and ‘game-changing’ ideas never cease to amaze me. They all have bright futures ahead of them.” 

David Moore

David Moore

Program Director for NASA’s Game Changing Development program

NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate sponsors the BIG Idea Challenge through a collaboration between its Game Changing Development program and the agency’s Office of STEM Engagement. It is managed by a partnership between the National Institute of Aerospace and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.   

Team presentations, technical papers, and digital posters are available on the BIG Idea website.       

For full competition details, visit:  https://bigidea.nianet.org/2024-challenge

Keep Exploring

Discover More Topics From NASA

Space Technology Mission Directorate

stmd.jpg?w=525

Game Changing Development Projects

Game Changing Development projects aim to advance space technologies, focusing on advancing capabilities for going to and living in space.

cadre.jpg?w=1536

NASA’s Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative

surface-power.png?w=1536

Get Involved

top-image.jpg?w=1536

View the full article

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Similar Topics

    • NASA
      Station Science Top News: Jan. 17, 2025
      By NASA
      Insights into metal alloy solidification

      Researchers report details of phase and structure in the solidification of metal alloys on the International Space Station, including formation of microstructures. Because these microstructures determine a material’s mechanical properties, this work could support improvements in techniques for producing coatings and additive manufacturing or 3D printing processes.

      METCOMP, an ESA (European Space Agency) investigation, studied solidification in microgravity using transparent organic mixtures as stand-ins for metal alloys. Conducting the research in microgravity removed the influence of convection and other effects of gravity. Results help scientists better understand and validate models of solidification mechanisms, enabling better forecasting of microstructures and improving manufacturing processes.
      Image from the METCOMP investigation of how a metal alloy could look like as it solidifies. E-USOC Measuring the height of upper-atmospheric electrical discharges

      Researchers determined the height of a blue discharge from a thundercloud using ground-based electric field measurements and space-based optical measurements from Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM). This finding helps scientists better understand how these high-altitude lightning-related events affect atmospheric chemistry and could help improve atmospheric models and climate and weather predictions.

      ESA’s ASIM is an Earth observation facility that studies severe thunderstorms and upper-atmospheric lighting events and their role in the Earth’s atmosphere and climate. Upper-atmospheric lightning, also known as transient luminous events, occurs well above the altitudes of normal lightning and storm clouds. The data collected by ASIM could support research on the statistical properties of many upper atmosphere lightning events, such as comparison of peak intensities of blue and red pulses with reports from lightning detection networks.
      An artist’s impression of a blue jet as observed from the International Space Station.Mount Visual/University of Bergen/DTU Modeling a complex neutron star

      Scientists report that they can use modeling of neutron star PSRJ1231−1411’s X-ray pulses to infer its mass and radius and narrow the possible behaviors of the dense matter at its core. This finding provides a better understanding of the composition and structure of these celestial objects, improving models that help answer questions about conditions in the universe.

      The Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer provides high-precision measurements of pulses of X-ray radiation from neutron stars. This particular neutron star presented challenges in finding a fit between models and data, possibly due to fundamental issues with its pulse profile. The authors recommend a program of simulations using synthetic data to determine whether there are fundamental issues with this type of pulse profile that could prevent efforts to obtain tighter and more robust constraints.
      Concentrators on the Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer instrument.NASAView the full article
    • NASA
      NASA Opens New Challenge to Support Climate-Minded Business Models
      By NASA
      Freelancer NASA’s Sustainable Business Model Challenge is looking for entrepreneurs, startups, and researchers to leverage the agency’s publicly available Earth system science data to develop commercial solutions for climate challenges.
      This opportunity, with a submission deadline of June 13, bridges the gap between vast climate data and actionable solutions by inviting solvers to transform data into sustainable business models that support climate resilience and decision-making.
      “Creative, outcome-driven entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our country’s economy, and we’re excited to see the sustainable climate solutions they’re able to come up with when working closely with NASA’s vast resources and data,” said Jason L. Kessler, program executive for the NASA Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program, which is sponsoring the challenge.
      Through the Sustainable Business Model Challenge, NASA aims to foster a new set of sustainable enterprises capable of turning climate insights into tangible market-ready services, ultimately contributing to a more resilient future for vulnerable communities, businesses, and ecosystems. NASA is committed to broadening participation in its solicitations and fostering technology advancements.
      By engaging new entrepreneurs, the challenge serves as a pathway to NASA’s SBIR/STTR program, helping scale solutions to advance the global response to climate change and encourage a more sustainable future. From its vantage point in space, NASA holds a wealth of data that can inform new approaches to climate adaptation and mitigation.
      Participants will submit a 10-page business concept paper that includes details on how they will incorporate NASA climate or Earth system data to deliver a product or service. Up to ten winning teams will receive $10,000 each, along with admission to a 10-week capability development training designed to strengthen any future proposals for potential NASA funding.
      NASA’s SBIR/STTR program, managed by the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, is part of America’s Seed Fund, the nation’s largest source of early-stage funding for innovative technologies. Through this program, entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses with less than 500 employees can receive funding and non-monetary support to build, mature, and commercialize their technologies, advancing NASA missions and advancing the nations aerospace economy.
      Ensemble is hosting the challenge on behalf of NASA. The NASA Tournament Lab, part of the Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing program in the Space Technology Mission Directorate, manages the challenge. The program supports global public competitions and crowdsourcing as tools to advance NASA research and development and other mission needs.
      The deadline to participate in NASA’s Sustainable Business Model Challenge is June 13, 2025.
      For more information about the challenge, visit: https://nasabusinesschallenge.org/ 
      View the full article
    • NASA
      Sustainable Business Model Challenge
      By NASA
      Climate change presents one of the most urgent crises of our time, with increasing threats to life, infrastructure, economies, and ecosystems worldwide. Climate change is no longer a distant concern; its effects are being felt now and are projected to intensify if emissions continue unabated. The consequences are severe and irreversible for people today, with rapidly shrinking glaciers and ice sheets, rising sea levels, and more intense heat waves already occurring. Scientists predict even more profound impacts, such as an increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, extended drought periods, and stronger tropical cyclones. By 2100, sea levels could rise by up to 6.5 feet1, displacing coastal communities and disrupting ecosystems. In the U.S., the effects vary by region—wildfires in the West have doubled in area burned, and rising sea levels threaten infrastructure in the Southeast. Innovative, data-driven solutions are essential to mitigate these growing risks. From the unique vantage point in space, NASA collects critical long-term observations of our changing planet. NASA produces vast amounts of Earth system science data from satellites, radars, and ships, as well as model outputs, offering a wealth of opportunities for innovative thinkers to leverage these sources. The Sustainable Business Model Challenge is designed to identify and foster sustainable business models built around NASA’s Earth system science data. This challenge invites entrepreneurs, researchers, startups, and innovators to use NASA’s publicly available climate and Earth system data sources to create sustainable business models to address climate challenges.
      Award: $100,000 in total prizes
      Open Date: January 16, 2025
      Close Date: June 13, 2025
      For more information, visit: https://nasabusinesschallenge.org/
      View the full article
    • NASA
      NASA’s Day of Remembrance Honors Fallen Heroes of Exploration
      By NASA
      The Space Shuttle Columbia and Space Shuttle Challenger Memorials are seen after a wreath laying ceremony that was part of NASA’s Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. (Credit: NASA) NASA will observe its annual Day of Remembrance on Thursday, Jan. 23, honoring the members of the NASA family who lost their lives in the pursuit of exploration and discovery for benefit of humanity. The event, traditionally held every year on the fourth Thursday of January, remembers the crews of Apollo 1 and the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia.
      “On NASA’s Day of Remembrance, we pause to reflect on the bravery, dedication, and selflessness of the extraordinary individuals who pushed the boundaries of exploration and discovery,” said NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free. “Their legacies remind us of the profound responsibility we have to carry their dreams forward while ensuring safety remains our guiding principle.”
      Free will lead an observance at 1 p.m. EST at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, which will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by observances for the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia crews.
      Several agency centers also will hold observances for NASA Day of Remembrance:
      Johnson Space Center in Houston
      NASA Johnson will hold a commemoration at 10 a.m. CST at the Astronaut Memorial Grove with remarks by Center Director Vanessa Wyche. The event will have a moment of silence, a NASA T-38 flyover, taps performed by the Texas A&M Squadron 17, and a procession placing flowers at Apollo I, Challenger, and Columbia memorial trees.
      Kennedy Space Center in Florida
      NASA Kennedy and the Astronauts Memorial Foundation will host a ceremony at the Space Mirror Memorial at Kennedy’s Visitor Complex at 10 a.m. EST. The event will include remarks from Tal Ramon, son of Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, space shuttle Columbia.
      Kelvin Manning, deputy director at NASA Kennedy, also will provide remarks during the ceremony, which will livestream on the center’s Facebook page.
      Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley
      NASA Ames will hold a remembrance ceremony at 1 p.m. PST that includes remarks from Center Director Eugene Tu, a moment of silence, and bell ringing commemoration.
      Glenn Research Center in Cleveland
      NASA Glenn will observe Day of Remembrance with remarks at 1 p.m. EST from Center Director Jimmy Kenyon followed by wreath placement, moment of silence, and taps at Lewis Field​.
      Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia
      NASA Langley will hold a remembrance ceremony with Acting Center Director Dawn Schaible followed by placing flags at the Langley Workers Memorial.
      Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama
      NASA Marshall will hold a candle-lighting ceremony and wreath placement at 9:30 a.m. CST. The ceremony will include remarks from Larry Leopard, associate director, and Bill Hill, director of Marshall’s Office of Safety and Mission Assurance. 
      Stennis Space Flight Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
      NASA Stennis and the NASA Shared Services Center will hold a wreath-laying ceremony at 9 a.m. CST with remarks from Center Director John Bailey and Anita Harrell, NASA Shared Services Center executive director.
      The agency also is paying tribute to its fallen astronauts with special online content, updated on NASA’s Day of Remembrance, at:
      https://www.nasa.gov/dor
      -end-
      Abbey Donaldson
      Headquarters, Washington
      202-358-1600
      Abbey.a.donaldson@nasa.gov
      Share
      Details
      Last Updated Jan 16, 2025 LocationNASA Headquarters View the full article
    • NASA
      NASA International Space Apps Challenge Announces 2024 Global Winners
      By NASA
      6 Min Read NASA International Space Apps Challenge Announces 2024 Global Winners
      The 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge was hosted at 485 events in 163 countries and territories. Credits: NASA NASA Space Apps has named 10 global winners, recognizing teams from around the world for their exceptional innovation and collaboration during the 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge. As the largest annual global hackathon, this event invites participants to leverage open data from NASA and its space agency partners to tackle real-world challenges on Earth and in space.
      Last year’s hackathon welcomed 93,520 registered participants, including space, science, technology, and storytelling enthusiasts of all ages. Participants gathered at local events in 163 countries and territories, forming teams to address the challenges authored by NASA subject matter experts. These challenges included subjects/themes/questions in ocean ecosystems, exoplanet exploration, Earth observation, planetary seismology, and more.
      The 2024 Global Winners were determined out of 9,996 project submissions and judged by subject matter experts from NASA and space agency partners.
      “These 10 exceptional teams created projects that reflect our commitment to understanding our planet and exploring beyond, with the potential to transform Earth and space science for the benefit of all,” said Dr. Keith Gaddis, NASA Space Apps Challenge program scientistat NASA Headquarters in Washington. “The NASA Space Apps Challenge showcases the potential of every idea and individual. I am excited to see how these innovators will shape and inspire the future of science and exploration.”
      You can watch the Global Winners Announcement here to meet these winning teams and learn about the inspiration behind their projects.
      2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge Global Winners
      Best Use of Science Award: WMPGang
      Team Members: Dakota C., Ian C., Maximilian V., Simon S.
      Challenge: Create an Orrery Web App that Displays Near-Earth Objects
      Country/Territory: Waterloo,Canada
      Using their skills in programming, data analysis, and visualization, WMPGang created a web app that identifies satellite risk zones using real-time data on Near-Earth Objects and meteor streams.
      Learn more about WMPGang’s SkyShield: Protecting Earth and Satellites from Space Hazards project Best Use of Data Award: GaamaRamma
      Team Members: Aakash H., Arun G., Arthur A., Gabriel A., May K.
      Challenge: Leveraging Earth Observation Data for Informed Agricultural Decision-Making
      Country/Territory: Universal Event, United States
      GaamaRamma’s team of tech enthusiasts aimed to create a sustainable way to help farmers efficiently manage water availability in the face of drought, pests, and disease.
      Learn more about GaamaRamma’s Waterwise project Best Use of Technology Award: 42 QuakeHeroes
      Team Members: Alailton A., Ana B., Gabriel C., Gustavo M., Gustavo T., Larissa M.
      Challenge: Seismic Detection Across the Solar System
      Country/Territory: Maceió, Brazil
      Team 42 QuakeHeroes employed a deep neural network model to identify the precise locations of seismic events within time-series data. They used advanced signal processing techniques to isolate and analyze unique components of non-stationary signals.
      Learn more about 42 QuakeHeroes’ project Galactic Impact Award: NVS-knot
      Team Members: Oksana M., Oleksandra M., Prokipchyn Y., Val K.
      Challenge:  Leveraging Earth Observation Data for Informed Agricultural Decision-Making
      Country/Territory: Kyiv, Ukraine
      The NVS-knot team assessed planting conditions using surface soil moisture and evapotranspiration data, then created an app that empowers farmers to manage planting risks.
      Learn more about NVS-knot’s 2plant | ! 2plant project Best Mission Concept Award: AsturExplorers
      Team Members: Coral M., Daniel C., Daniel V., Juan B., Samuel G., Vladimir C.
      Challenge: Landsat Reflectance Data: On the Fly and at Your Fingertips
      Country/Territory: Gijón, Spain
      AsturExplorers created Landsat Connect, a web app that provides a simple, intuitive way to track Landast satellites and access Landsat surface reflectance data. The app also allows users to set a target location and receive notifications when Landsat satellites pass over their area.
      Learn more about AsturExplorers’ Landsat Connect project Most Inspirational Award: Innovisionaries
      Team Members: Rikzah K., Samira K., Shafeeqa J., Umamah A.
      Challenge: SDGs in the Classroom
      Country/Territory: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
      Innovisionaries developed Eco-Metropolis to inspire sustainability through gameplay. This city-building game engages players in making critical urban planning and resource management decisions based on real-world environmental data.
      Learn more about Innovisionaries’ Eco-Metropolis: Sustainable City Simulation project Best Storytelling Award: TerraTales
      Team Members: Ahmed R., Fatma E., Habiba A., Judy A., Maya M.
      Challenge: Tell Us a Climate Story!
      Country/Territory: Cairo, Egypt
      TerraTales shared stories of how Earth’s changing climate affects three unique regions: Egypt, Brazil, and Germany. The web app also features an artificial intelligence (AI) model for climate forecasting and an interactive game to encourage users to make eco-friendly choices.
      Learn more about TerraTale’s project Global Connection Award: Asteroid Destroyer
      Team Members: Kapeesh K., Khoi N., Sathyajit L., Satyam S.
      Challenge: Navigator for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO): Mapping the Characterizable Exoplanets in our Galaxy
      Country/Territory: Saskatoon, Canada
      Team Asteroid Destroyer honed in on exoplanets, utilizing data processing and machine learning techniques to map exoplanets based on size, temperature, and distance.
      Learn more about Asteroid Destroyer’s project Art & Technology Award: Connected Earth Museum
      Team Members: Gabriel M., Luc R., Lucas R., Mattheus L., Pedro C., Riccardo S.
      Challenge: Imagine our Connected Earth
      Country/Territory: Campinas, Brazil
      Team Connected Earth Museum created an immersive virtual museum experience to raise awareness of Earth’s changing climate. An AI host guides users through an interactive gallery featuring 3D and 2D visualizations, including a time series on Earth and ocean temperatures, population density, wildfires, and more.
      Learn more about Connected Earth Museums’ project Local Impact Award: Team I.O.
      Team Members: Frank R., Jan K., Raphael R., Ryan Z., Victoria M.
      Challenge: Community Mapping
      Country/Territory: Florianópolis, Brazil
      Team I.O. bridges the gap between complex Geographic Information Systems data and user-friendly communication, making critical environmental information accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise.
      Learn more about Team I.O.’s G.R.O.W. (Global Recovery and Observation of Wildfires) project Want to take part in the 2025 NASA Space Apps Challenge? Mark your calendars for October 4 and 5! Registration will open in July. At that time, participants will be able to register for a local event hosted by NASA Space Apps leads from around the world. You can stay connected with NASA Space Apps on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
      Space Apps is funded by NASA’s Earth Science Division through a contract with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, and SecondMuse.
      Share
      Details
      Last Updated Jan 16, 2025 Related Terms
      STEM Engagement at NASA Earth View the full article

  • Check out these Videos

×
×
  • Create New...