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The ESA-ESRIC funded space resources challenge has ended Phase 1!
5 teams won 75.000€ each and will join us for Phase 2.
Submission deadline: Closed.
SUBMISSIONS CLOSED
Many thanks for all the teams that have applied. We have held the first field test in November and have chosen 5 winners.
Phase 2 is currently in preparation.
Using Challenge Driven Innovation, ESA -ESRIC are launching a Space Resources Challenge, where robotic prototypes will compete on a lunar analogue terrain!
Check ESA's OSIP platform at: ideas.esa.int and get involved!
What is prospecting resources on the Moon?
ESA - ESRIC are asking European industries and research institutions to find innovative technical methods for prospecting resources on the Moon.
The Moon is the next step in human exploration. In order to establish habitats there, we need ways to collect the resources already present on the Moon and use them in-situ. Prospecting is how we find such resources. Terrestrial prospecting technologies need to be adapted to the rigours of a dusty, vacuum environment and temperature extremes of the lunar surface.
In an effort to draw lessons from further afield as possible we are looking for ideas that will help us adapt resource prospecting to the space age.
Mission Scenario
It is 2028. The European Large Logistic Lander just descended in the area between the Shoemaker and Faustini crater in the South Pole region of the Moon.
The primary goal is to characterise and locate resources like water and metals with some ground truth measurements and produce an accurate map of the little impact crater a few hundred meters from the lander. The mission control room will analyse the images (visual & multi-spectral bands) to make a first resource map to guide future missions.
How to join The Challenge
01
GATHER INFO
Read our OSIP call and attend our Information Session (Thursday, 20 May 2021).
02
CREATE & SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL
Develop an operational scenario that can fulfil the mission scenario. Once you have submitted your idea, we will choose the 10 most promising proposals.
03
RUN THE CHALLENGE
If your idea has been chosen by our expert panel, we ask you to bring your hardware and demonstrate your idea on our lunar landscape - we will cover your shipping and travel costs.
04
WINNERS PREPARE FOR FIELD-TEST 2 IN LUXEMBOURG IN 2022
5 winners will be awarded a €75K development contract with ESA to develop their prototype further and particpate in the final field-test of the challenge in Luxembourg.
SUBMISSIONS CLOSED
The Challenge
In a covered, controlled environment of 2500 square-meters and a 14 meter high ceiling, ESA will create a simplified moon analogue terrain divided into 2 areas:
1) a traversal zone area and 2) a region of interest.
Participants will have 2 1/2 hours to traverse to the region of interest and to localise and characterise the rocks they find there.
DEVELOP TECHNOLOGIES TO IDENTIFY AND MAP SPACE RESOURCES
€500.000 for the Overall Winner and a chance to fly your tech to the Moon
€75000 FOR EACH OF THE 5 WINNERS
Timeline
21 APRIL, 2021
Start of Phase 1 -Challenge announcement during the ESRIC Space Resources Week
The OSIP portal for the challenge opens. This is the place to submit your paperwork, and the place where your proposal will be evaluated!
1st Information Day Event for participants hosted on ESA TV, Twitch, YouTube and Clubhouse. You can submit questions on the day using Slido, or in advance by emailing spaceresourceschallenge@esa.int
3
2nd Information Day Event! For any additional questions, or teams that have decided to join later
Timeline
7 MAY 2021
The OSIP portal for the challenge opens. This is the place to submit your paperwork, and the place where your proposal will be evaluated!
20 MAY 2021
1st Information Session Event, 12:00h CEST, for participants hosted on WebEx. A transcript of the Q&A will be made available on the website blog!
31 JULY 2021
Final day for submission of your ideas on OSIP
29 AUGUST 2021
ESA - ESRIC invite 10 teams to the first field-test in the Netherlands. Invited teams are asked to register on ESA STAR. Update: Due to the quality of the submissions we accepted 13 teams into the field test.
29 October 2021
10 selected teams submit their final proposal answering the ESA ITT.
22 - 26 NOVEMBER 2021
Teams showcase their technology during a 2.5 hour window. A jury will be present to evaluate your performance.
JANUARY 2022
5 winners will be chosen and given a € 75,000 development contract to develop their proto-types further and join the second field test in Luxembourg in 2022
SEPTEMBER 2022
Start of Field Test 2 to be held in Luxembourg! The winners will be evaluated by a jury and pending programmatic approval one winner will receive up to €550.000 in development contracts from ESA and ESRIC.
SEPTEMBER 2022
Winner is announced at the IAC Paris!
Franziska Zaunig
ESA ESTEC
Keplerlaan 1
2201 AZ Noordwijk
The Netherlands
Email: franziska.zaunig@esa.int