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CC21 Ash Removal & Reutilization for Novel Trash-to-Gas Systems
Completed
Description
Ash generation in Trash-to-Gas and waste management systems leads to degradation of system performance and a loss of potential resources. The goal of this crowdsource is to come up with an effective solution for ash removal and handling. Time-permitting reutilization of ash is of interest albeit a secondary goal.
Help NASA develop an ash removal process for a trash-to-gas reactor that helps space travel be more sustainable. Ash generation in Trash-to-Gas and waste management systems leads to degradation of system performance and a loss of potential resources. The goal of this crowdsource is to come up with an effective solution for ash removal and handling. Time-permitting reutilization of ash is of interest albeit a secondary goal.
Benefits
We received multiple quality responses for this challenge. It made the judging process very difficult to narrow things down to the top 3. Ultimately we landed on the 3 submissions that clearly put the most effort into their submissions and throughly thought through the challenge requirements.
Significantly Advanced Towards a Solution
Planned for future implementation
Technical Solution
Details
| Technology area | Human Health, Life Support, and Habitation Systems > Environmental Control and Life Support Systems and Habitation Systems > Atmosphere Revitalization > Waste Management |
| Program | Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing (PCC) |
| Lead organization | Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, FL |
| Start date | 2021-06-15 |
| End date | 2022-07-11 |
Project contacts
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
How to get involved
This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.
None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.