The LunaRecycle Challenge is a $3 million, two-phase competition focused on the development of solutions that can transform trash items into useful feedstocks and/or end products on the surface of the Moon and Mars.  In Phase 1, the challenge was divided into two competition tracks, one focused on designing a Digital Twin and one focused on designing a Prototype. Phase 2 will still seek both types of solutions—Prototype Solutions and Digital Twin Solutions. However, in Phase 2, the competition will be combined into a single competition track where the Prototype Solution will be required, and a Digital Twin Solution will be optional. In Phase 2, a team’s Digital Twin Solution (if they choose to develop one) should be a digital model of the team’s Prototype Solution, not an entirely different system or approach.  The challenge will run for a total of 13 months, from August 2025 until August 2026. Winners are expected to be announced in August 2026.

In Phase 2, the challenge will have two rounds of competition, a Milestone Round and a Final Round. In the Milestone Round, all teams are required to submit a preliminary design for their Prototype Solution. Teams invited to compete in the Final Round are required to submit a final design for their Prototype Solution and build and demonstrate their Prototype Solution hardware at a TBD demonstration location. Teams will have the option of also submitting a Digital Twin Solution in the Milestone Round and in the Final Round (if they are invited to participate in the Final Round).  NASA will offer prizes for both Prototype Solutions and Digital Twin Solutions. Teams may choose to compete for Prototype prizes alone or for both Prototype and Digital Twin prizes. However, teams may not compete for only the Digital Twin prizes. The challenge will run for a total of 13 months, from August 2025 until August 2026. Winners are expected to be announced in August 2026.

See the challenge rules for full details: https://lunarecyclechallenge.ua.edu/

Website: https://lunarecyclechallenge.ua.edu/

Managing Organization: NASA Centennial Challenges Program

Contact:

lunarecycle@ua.edu

Eligibility:

Phase 1 of the challenge was open to both U.S. teams and international teams. However, in Phase 2, the challenge will be open only to U.S. teams. U.S. teams may, in some cases, include team members that are foreign nationals, as outlined in the Legal Requirements section of the challenge rules.  Any eligible team may compete in Phase 2. Teams are not required to have competed in Phase 1 in order to compete in Phase 2.  Additional legal requirements related to eligibility can be found in the Legal Requirements section in the challenge rules.

Registration Opens: August 11, 2025

Registration Closes: January 22, 2026

The LunaRecycle Challenge is a $3 million, two-phase competition focused on the development of solutions that can transform trash items into useful feedstocks and/or end products on the surface of the Moon and Mars.  In Phase 1, the challenge was divided into two competition tracks, one focused on designing a Digital Twin and one focused on designing a Prototype. Phase 2 will still seek both types of solutions—Prototype Solutions and Digital Twin Solutions. However, in Phase 2, the competition will be combined into a single competition track where the Prototype Solution will be required, and a Digital Twin Solution will be optional. In Phase 2, a team’s Digital Twin Solution (if they choose to develop one) should be a digital model of the team’s Prototype Solution, not an entirely different system or approach.  The challenge will run for a total of 13 months, from August 2025 until August 2026. Winners are expected to be announced in August 2026.

In Phase 2, the challenge will have two rounds of competition, a Milestone Round and a Final Round. In the Milestone Round, all teams are required to submit a preliminary design for their Prototype Solution. Teams invited to compete in the Final Round are required to submit a final design for their Prototype Solution and build and demonstrate their Prototype Solution hardware at a TBD demonstration location. Teams will have the option of also submitting a Digital Twin Solution in the Milestone Round and in the Final Round (if they are invited to participate in the Final Round).  NASA will offer prizes for both Prototype Solutions and Digital Twin Solutions. Teams may choose to compete for Prototype prizes alone or for both Prototype and Digital Twin prizes. However, teams may not compete for only the Digital Twin prizes. The challenge will run for a total of 13 months, from August 2025 until August 2026. Winners are expected to be announced in August 2026.

See the challenge rules for full details: https://lunarecyclechallenge.ua.edu/

Website: https://lunarecyclechallenge.ua.edu/

Managing Organization: NASA Centennial Challenges Program

Contact:

lunarecycle@ua.edu

Eligibility:

Phase 1 of the challenge was open to both U.S. teams and international teams. However, in Phase 2, the challenge will be open only to U.S. teams. U.S. teams may, in some cases, include team members that are foreign nationals, as outlined in the Legal Requirements section of the challenge rules.  Any eligible team may compete in Phase 2. Teams are not required to have competed in Phase 1 in order to compete in Phase 2.  Additional legal requirements related to eligibility can be found in the Legal Requirements section in the challenge rules.

Registration Opens: August 11, 2025

Registration Closes: January 22, 2026