NASA's HuLC 2025 Challenge Calls for Student Innovations in Cryogenic Propellants for Moon and Mars Missions

NASA has unfurled an ambitious opportunity for academia to directly contribute to the future of deep space exploration through its Human Lander Challenge (HuLC) 2025. As the agency propels forward with its Artemis campaign to return astronauts to the Moon and eventually press on to Mars, NASA is seeking innovative ideas specifically from the university talent pool for cryogenic, or supercold, propellant applications integral to human landing systems.

HuLC, now in its second year, encourages university teams to devise pioneering solutions and technological advancements in in-space cryogenic liquid storage and transfer systems. These developments are critical for future long-duration missions that aim to expand human presence beyond low Earth orbit.

"We're calling on bright minds to deliver 'cooler' solutions that can blaze a trail for the Artemis generation and beyond," said Esther Lee from NASA's Langley Research Center. "This is more than a competition; it's a collaboration between academia's innovative efforts and the practical needs of space technology."

Cryogenic propellants like liquid hydrogen and oxygen are vital for deep space missions due to their high efficiency but pose significant challenges due to their need to be maintained at very low temperatures. The HuLC competition specifically addresses the challenge of extending the storage time of these superchilled propellants from mere hours to potentially several months.

Juan Valenzuela from NASA Marshall pointed out key areas such as on-orbit propellant transfer and microgravity mass tracking which are critical for extending the shelf-life of cryogenic fuels. These challenges require fresh perspectives and cunningly devised strategies that could emerge from the ingenuity of university students.

College and university teams with interest in this venture should mark their calendars for two critical dates: an optional Notice of Intent due by October 6, 2024, followed by the all-important proposal package due by March 3, 2025. Selected finalists will engage in a forum near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and vie for a total prize purse of $18,000.

The call is clear: NASA seeks to not only enrich its technology but to nurture a new generation of aerospace professionals. By merging theoretical innovation from universities with the pragmatic challenges of long-duration space exploration, the agency is sowing the seeds for a future that could see humans thriving on the Moon, Mars, and perhaps beyond.