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NASA\u2019s 2024 Human Lander Challenge (HuLC) Forum brought 12 university teams from across the United States to Huntsville, Alabama, near the agency\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center, to showcase their innovative concepts for addressing the complex issue of managing lunar dust. The 12 finalists, selected in March 2024, presented their final presentations to a panel of NASA and industry experts from NASA\u2019s Human Landing Systems Program at the HuLC Forum in Huntsville June 25-27.<\/p>\n
NASA\u2019s lunar exploration campaign Artemis is working to send the first woman, first person of color, and first international partner astronaut to the Moon and establish long-term lunar science and exploration capabilities. Dust mitigation during landing is one of the key challenges NASA and its Artemis partners will have to address in exploring the lunar South Pole region and establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon. Participants in the 2024 Human Lander Challenge developed proposed systems-level solutions that could be potentially implemented within the next 3-5 years to manage or prevent clouds of dust \u2013 called lunar plume surface interaction \u2013 that form as a spacecraft touches down on the Moon.<\/p>\n
NASA announced the University of Michigan team, with their project titled, \u201cARC-LIGHT: Algorithm for Robust Characterization of Lunar Surface Imaging for Ground Hazards and Trajectory\u201d as the selected overall winner and recipient of a $10,000 award June 27.<\/p>\n
The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign took second place and a $5,000 award with their project, \u201c<\/em>HINDER: Holistic Integration of Navigational Dynamics for Erosion Reduction,\u201d followed by University of Colorado Boulder for their project, \u201cLunar Surface Assessment Tool (LSAT): A Simulation of Lunar Dust Dynamics for Risk Analysis,\u201d and a $3,000 award.<\/p>\n \u201cManaging and reducing the threat of lunar dust is a formidable challenge to NASA and we are committed to real solutions for our long long-term presence on the Moon\u2019s surface,\u201d said Don Krupp, associate program manager for the HLS Program at Marshall. \u201cA key part of NASA\u2019s mission is to build the next generation of explorers and expand our partnerships across commercial industry and the academic community to advance HLS technologies, concepts, and approaches. The Human Lander Challenge is a great example of our unique partnership with the academic community as they help provide innovative and real solutions to the unique risks and challenges of returning to the Moon.\u201d<\/p>\n Two teams received the excellence in systems engineering award:<\/p>\n \u201cThe caliber of solutions presented by the finalist teams to address the challenges of lunar-plume surface interaction is truly commendable,\u201d said Esther Lee, HuLC judging panel chair and aerospace engineer at NASA\u2019s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. \u201cWitnessing the development of these concepts is an exciting glimpse into the promising future of aerospace leadership. It\u2019s inspiring to see so many brilliant minds coming together to solve the challenges of lunar landings and exploration. We may all come from different educational backgrounds, but our shared passion for space unites us.\u201d<\/p>\n Student and faculty advisor participants had the opportunity to network and interact with NASA and industry subject matter experts who are actively working on NASA\u2019s Human Landing System capabilities giving participants a unique insight to careers and operations that further the Agency\u2019s mission of human space exploration.<\/p>\n NASA\u2019s Human Lander Challenge is sponsored by Human Landing System Program and managed by the National Institute of Aerospace.\u00a0<\/p>\n For more information about NASA Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, please visit:<\/p>\n \n\n