NASA asks people to suggest ideas to develop a mini moon rover

New Delhi : If you have an idea which can help in developing a mini moon rover, NASA is listening. The US-based space agency has asked people to share their ideas for miniature rovers which will be used on Artemis mission to explore the Moon.

According to media reports, NASA on April 9 asked for ideas for miniaturized payloads to send to the moon onboard Roomba-size rovers. 

This is a part of "Honey, I Shrunk the NASA Payload" challenge that has been launched on crowdsourcing platform HeroX and the best idea will be eligible for a whopping prize money of $160,000 (£130,000, AU$250,000).

According to a report by TeCake, their sources in NASA have disclosed its interest in designs that would tie into its Artemis program, which is aimed to return humans to the moon in 2024, and ultimately establish a permanent presence there.

The challenge states, "Payloads that support prospecting for resources that help support a sustained human presence are highly desirable, in addition to payloads that enable lunar science, demonstrate new technologies and/or advance the use of resources found on the moon."

According to the report, the challenge is to build a 100 mm by 100 mm by 50 mm rover with full external dimensions. Following the design process, the prototyping, testing, and development of these rovers will present new challenges. There is a total of $160,000 in prize money to be split into two groups for the first round of designing rovers to find lunar resources, and rovers to explore the lunar environment.