The Space Technology Payload Challenge is a NASA TechLeap Prize challenge to advance solutions addressing one or more select NASA technology shortfalls. These shortfalls identify areas where further technology development is required to meet future exploration, science, and other mission needs. NASA’s Flight Opportunities program invited innovators to submit applications for systems that advance technology addressing one or more of the shortfalls listed.
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Shortfall: Extraction and Separation of Oxygen from Extraterrestrial Minerals
Leveraging Aerofly’s proven Rego-LIFT system, this solution demonstrates near-vertical regolith conveyance for oxygen in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). By refining motor scaling, system architecture, and energy budgeting, their approach directly addresses a NASA shortfall, optimizing material handling for efficient oxygen extraction from lunar regolith.
Shortfall: Food and Nutrition for Mars and Sustained Luna
The Ambrosia Space team is building scalable in-space biomanufacturing systems for large-scale protein and nutrient manufacturing for long-duration human spaceflight. Key to this solution is the capability to process large volumes of liquid-based cell culture efficiently in reduced and micro-gravity environments.
Shortfall: In-Space and Surface Transfer of Earth Storable Propellants
The Carthage College MUT technology uses phased-array ultrasonic transducers to form, direct, and collect helium bubbles into a controlled gas pocket near the vent port. The innovation extracts dissolved helium directly from the propellant—eliminating fuel-consuming settling burns. This enables gas-only venting with minimal propellant loss.
Shortfall: General-Purpose Robotic Manipulation to Perform Human-Scale Logistics, Maintenance, Outfitting, and Utilization
The HERMES automated genetic material extraction solution for diverse biological samples was developed by Ecoatoms to reduce astronaut time spent on R&D procedures. This innovation advances human-scale logistics and utilization in space, reducing significant costs and allowing astronauts to focus on critical missions while automation handles complex laboratory tasks with precision and consistency.
Shortfall: Navigation Sensors for Precision Landing
Guinn Partners’ IMPRESS technology supports affordable rideshare missions and enables Mars swarm deployment for small-scale spacecraft. An aluminum air brake ensures controlled descent, and penetrators embed 50cm, deploying a 150g payload for resource reconnaissance. A UHF radio beacon aids precision landing for future missions.
Shortfall: In-situ Sample Preparation Capabilities
The CELS technology is an autonomous biological payload developed by Helogen Corporation to enable sample handling and preparation for in-orbit analysis. CELS focuses on ensuring high-quality biological experimentation comparable with state-of-the-art ground-based research. It is designed for suborbital, hosted orbital, Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination, and CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) use.
Shortfall: Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE)
This novel, high-thrust, high-efficiency propulsion system utilizes rotating detonation rocket engine technology powered with nitrous oxide and ethane, non-toxic propellants that are storable and self-pressurizing. The product leverages the 5-10% higher specific impulse of the RDRE technology to be competitive with current hypergolic bi-propellant solutions.
Shortfall: Active Dust Mitigation Technologies for Diverse Applications
This EBDM technology developed by Space Dust Research & Technologies LLC uses an electron beam to charge particles to mitigate dust hazards for exploration on dust-rich airless bodies like the Moon. It has demonstrated cleaning efficacy up to 92% for various surfaces, including spacesuits, solar panels, optical lenses, and thermal blankets.
Shortfall: In-Space and On-Surface Manufacturing of Parts/Products from Surface and Terrestrial Feedstocks
This prototype processing and reentry system can be hosted on readily available commercial orbital platforms. The reentry vehicle is engineered for high-cadence payload return of in-space-manufactured materials. The recoverable microgravity semiconductor crystal manufacturing payload aims to enable high-temperature silicon crystal growth in microgravity and support scalable, low-cost in-space manufacturing.
Shortfall: Produce Propellants and Mission Consumables from Extracted In-situ Resources
The e5 Lab’s MARS-C provides an electrochemical ISRU approach to producing oxygen, hydrogen, and C1 and /C2 hydrocarbons at Martian temperatures/pressures. Using water with dissolved/suspended minerals from the Martian regolith and atmospheric CO2 may enable simultaneous electrolysis of the CO2 and brine to produce hydrocarbons and oxygen on Mars.