NASA is seeking proposals to advance the technology and infrastructure needed to explore the Moon and establish a Moon Base in the lunar South Pole region.<\/p>\n
Announced on Tuesday, Sept. 8, the solicitation targets capability gaps, including power generation, oxygen extraction, and producing materials on the Moon required for construction and operations. These technologies are essential to making humanity\u2019s next great leap in lunar exploration.<\/p>\n
\u201cNASA is accelerating the development of key technologies and closing critical gaps needed for long-term human exploration at the Moon,\u201d said Greg Stover, director of NASA\u2019s Advanced Research and Technology Division. \u201cPartnering with industry will strengthen the U.S. industrial base as we mature the capabilities and infrastructure needed for a sustainable lunar presence.\u201d<\/p>\n
The NextSTEP-3\u00a0Broad Agency\u00a0Announcement<\/a>\u00a0Appendix A:\u00a0Lunar Enabling Infrastructure Accelerator\u00a0solicitation aims to mature and demonstrate capabilities in five areas:<\/p>\n Vertical solar array technology that can provide consistent power generation, management, distribution, and energy storage. The solicitation\u00a0intends to cultivate\u00a0U.S.-led\u00a0capabilities\u00a0while\u00a0maintaining\u00a0full and open competition among private industry, academic institutions, and\u00a0not\u2011for\u2011profit\u00a0entities, as well as international partners\u00a0participating\u00a0through U.S.-led teams.\u00a0<\/p>\n NASA may apply insights gained from\u00a0the resulting contracts of this solicitation,\u00a0such as\u00a0technical data, and demonstration results,\u00a0to shape future acquisition strategies.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n To learn more about NextSTEP-3, visit:<\/p>\n
\nIn-situ resource utilization oxygen from regolith production to extract usable oxygen molecularly bonded to rock and dust covering the Moon\u2019s surface.
\nRadioisotope Stirling generator, a type of nuclear energy technology that uses heat from fissile materials to produce electric power for operating spacecraft systems in the darkest, dustiest, and most remote places.
\nIn-space advanced manufacturing to reduce reliance on resupply missions from Earth and to optimize mission flexibility and resilience on the Moon.
\nInnovative nanomaterials production to advance the commercial availability and quality of nanomaterials that can be used in lunar exploration.<\/p>\n