NASA: The millennium challenges

The US Department of Aerospace (NASA) is preparing to announce technology contests and space exploration. The prize money is huge, from $ 500,000 to $ 5 million for each prize.

Space elevator in the future ( Photo: VNN )

Known collectively as the Millennium Challenge Program, the six new challenges this time are technically more difficult, compared to previous challenges. In return, the bonus amount is much larger.

Brant Sponberg, Program Manager, said: ' ' We hope that in addition to serving NASA activities, products from competitions will be the foundation for both commercial and private space operations. ' '.

The six challenges are:

- Fuel storage: NASA offers a $ 5 million prize to those who design and manufacture liquid oxygen and hydrogen tanks. This type of vessel is used to refuel the spacecraft in Earth's low orbit.

- Passenger cars on the Moon: Winners must build the most convenient, safe, rugged and reliable vehicle that can transport astronauts on all the Moon's terrain. The prize is worth $ 1 million.

- Low-cost space suit: According to the draft regulation published on February 7, $ 500,000 will be awarded to the manufacturer of a safe, efficient and cheap space pressure suit. The suit will be used for commercial spacecraft in the future.

- Minor spacecraft: The spacecraft must transfer at least 6 hens eggs, not chipped, from low Earth orbit to a defined area on Earth to win $ 2 million.

- Solar sail : $ 2.5 million for the creator of a solar sail. Sail is pushed in space, to a definite goal, by the force of solar photons. The manufacturer will be rewarded with another $ 2.5 million if this sail is retained for 90 days at a fixed point in space.

- Power on the Moon: to hold this 500,000 VND prize, a group must be the first group to build a set of re-charged batteries, supplying electricity for more than one night on the moon (nearly 14 days on Earth) . At the same time, the battery must meet the conditions of compact size as well as heat generated.

The official rules and deadlines for these six new challenges remain open. NASA will collect comments from now until March 27.

In addition, NASA is studying another challenge - the first private flight to send people into orbit. Individuals or groups involved must build a 3-person spacecraft at a relatively low cost, about $ 100-150 million.

The Millennium Challenge was launched in October 2005 with 10 groups participating in making space elevators. However, no group won a $ 50,000 award. This year, the prize money for this lift competition will be $ 200,000.

Other challenges, such as the challenge of creating a new generation glove for astronauts, have also been claimed before. Organizers are optimistic that competitions will stimulate creativity, industry inspiration and mass publicity to help NASA push the limits of traditional technology and thought.

Minh Son