April 19, 2025 | 09:58 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - NASA has launched a global competition called LunaRecycle Challenge, with a total prize of US$3 million. This challenge calls on researchers, engineers, and innovators worldwide to create technology capable of efficiently and sustainably managing human waste on the Moon.
As reported by The Times of India, this competition is part of the preparations for the Artemis program, which aims to send humans back to the Moon and allow them to stay for longer periods than previous missions. To support the astronauts' life while staying in space, NASA wants to ensure that every resource, including human waste, can be reused. Waste recycling technology is key in building a self-sufficient habitat outside Earth.
This issue is not new. Since the six Apollo missions between 1969 and 1972, 96 human waste bags were left on the lunar surface. At that time, space constraints in the spacecraft prevented the waste from being brought back. Now, with technological advancements, NASA is exploring the potential of this waste as a new and useful resource, such as clean water, energy, nutrients, or even fertilizer for space agriculture.
In the LunaRecycle Challenge, participants are challenged to design a small, energy-efficient, environmentally resistant, and low-maintenance solid waste processing system. This system is also expected to operate automatically and be relevant for long-term space missions, including Mars. The proposed designs must also consider safety and hygiene, given that astronauts have limited living space.
Furthermore, NASA sees the potential for this technology to be applied on Earth, particularly in remote areas, disaster-affected regions, or places without adequate sanitation access. This way, space innovation is also expected to bring tangible benefits to human life on its home planet.
Editor's Choice: Jakarta Aquarium & Safari Welcomes Two New Baby Penguins
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia Moves to Deepen ICT Ties with Russia
3 hari lalu
Communication and Digital Deputy Minister Nezar Patria said Russia could be a partner in realizing a fast and affordable internet in Indonesia.
Katy Perry Kisses Earth After Historic All-Women Spaceflight with Bezos' Blue Origin
4 hari lalu
During the flight, Katy Perry was heard singing "What a Wonderful World", the iconic classic by Louis Armstrong.
Saturn Gets 128 More Moons, Here's How They Were Discovered
5 hari lalu
The discovery of natural satellites on Saturn assists researchers in understanding the dynamics of orbits, resonances, and the stability of planetary systems in general
NASA Discovers Planet-Sized Diamond Five Times Larger Than Earth
8 hari lalu
PSR J1719-1438b becomes one of the most striking discoveries in NASA's recent space exploration.
Today's Top 3 News: NASA Astronauts Embrace Next Starliner Flight Despite Past Hiccups
10 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Indonesian Lecturer Innovates Face Recognition Using Microexpression
11 hari lalu
Indonesian lecturer from the Faculty of Technology at the University of Jember, Ike Febriani, innovates face recognition through microexpressions.
NASA Rocket Launches into Aurora to Probe Geomagnetic Secrets
11 hari lalu
The launch of these NASA rockets is aimed at studying the impact of the geomagnetic phenomenon on the Earth's upper atmosphere.
Moving Forward: NASA Astronauts Embrace Next Starliner Flight Despite Past Hiccups
11 hari lalu
The astronauts are not deterred even after stranded at International Space Station (ISS) for 9 months. What are NASA's next plans for Starliner?
Pink Moon to Appear on April 12, 2025 Before Easter
12 hari lalu
The Pink Moon will occur on April 12, 2025 before Easter, accompanied by the appearance of planets such as Venus, Mars, and Jupiter in various parts of the Earth.
Jakarta to Deploy Nearly 3,000 Sanitation Officers to Anticipate Eid Holiday
23 hari lalu
A total of 2,906 officers will be stationed at various points, including tourist sites and public areas, during the Eid holiday in Jakarta.
