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Honey, I Shrunk the NASA Payload, the Sequel - Phase 1
Completed
Description
This challenge seeks proposals of packaged small payloads that can be integrated on miniaturized mobile platforms that enable lunar exploration or in-situ resource utilization. The intent of this challenge is to gather a list of miniaturized payloads/hardware for small lunar rovers for technology demonstration missions on the lunar surface.
In the previous Honey, I Shrunk the NASA Payload Challenge, 14 teams were recognized and awarded for their insightful and creative approaches to developing miniature payloads that will help collect information about the lunar environment and potential lunar resources. This challenge offers those winning teams the opportunity to vie for up to $800,000 in development funds and prizes. There will be an opportunity for teams to build out their ranks and fill in missing areas of expertise. Additionally, in order to help teams be as successful as possible, both phases will include opportunities for NASA to review team plans and/or their progress and to provide specific, individual feedback. This challenge seeks proposals of packaged small payloads that can be integrated on miniaturized mobile platforms that enable lunar exploration or in-situ resource utilization. The intent of this challenge is to gather a list of miniaturized payloads/hardware for small lunar rovers for technology demonstration missions on the lunar surface.
Benefits
10 eligible submissions received for proposed miniature payload development plans.
Solved
Planned for future implementation
Prototype/Hardware
Details
| Technology area | Sensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors |
| Program | Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing (PCC) |
| Lead organization | Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA |
| Start date | 2020-08-27 |
| End date | 2022-07-08 |
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.