“Circular economy” methods such as recycling and reuse have made significant advances, but a limited amount of waste generated aboard a crewed spacecraft cannot be recycled. Non-recyclable waste could take up crucial space, and some waste products can pose risks to the spacecraft and crew. Effectively controlled jettison operations can mitigate risks to spacecraft and avoid creating hazards or contaminants, while protecting livable volume and increasing fuel efficiency for the spacecraft. NASA is seeking an efficient and reliable jettison concept that will keep astronauts and spacecraft safe as we venture farther into deep space on roundtrip missions to Mars.
Award: $30,000 in total prizes
Open Date: February 1, 2022
Close Date: April 12, 2022
For more information, visit: https://www.herox.com/JettisonChallenge