Lunar exploration requires vital resources —
Including Water

Congratulations to Phase 2 Level 2 Winners!

Phase 2 Level 2 Winners Announced!

Congratulations to the Phase 2 Level 2 Winners!

Read the Announcement on NASA.gov

Watch the latest BTIL webinar: Industry Perspectives with Astronaut Don Thomas

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Phase 2 Overview

The goal of Phase 2 is to further the development of technologies that can excavate and transport large quantities of icy lunar regolith and can continuously operate for 15 days. Phase 2 will not focus on ice/water delivery hardware or equipment. Through a prototype demonstration, teams must show that their solutions address the reliability, durability, and traversability challenges these systems must overcome to operate for long durations.

The specific NASA technology gaps that Phase 2 aims to address include:

  • Excavate large quantities of icy regolith
  • Delivery of large quantities of acquired resources
  • Hardware and equipment that is lightweight and energy efficient
  • Hardware and equipment that is reliable and durable

Phase 2 contains three (3) levels. In this Phase, teams will design, build, and test terrestrial analog full-scale prototypes of robotic icy regolith excavation and transportation systems. Downstream ice and/or water delivery equipment described in Phase 1 of this Challenge will not be considered in Phase 2 of this Challenge.

Level 1: Plan the Prototype

Teams will develop detailed engineering designs and long-duration demonstration test plans for their prototype systems.

  • All teams that submit compliant deliverables by the deadline will move into Level 2.
  • Up to $500,000 in prizes will be offered in Level 1.

Level 2: Build & Test the Prototype

Build your terrestrial analog full-scale prototype and conduct durability demonstrations at a facility of your choosing and submit the report data.

  • Up to 15 teams will be selected to advance to Level 3
  • Up to $1,000,000 in prizes will be offered in Level 2

Level 3: Test the Prototype at a NASA-selected Facility

In Level 3, teams will bring the prototype system(s) they built and tested in Level 2 to a test facility and compete with other teams. The facility will be chosen and prepared by NASA. Expected testing includes excavation under reduced gravity (using gravity off-loading) and transportation over complex terrain (including rocks, craters, slopes, turns, and loose granular soil).

Level 3 will offer:

  • Up to $1,500,000 prize in prizes
  • NASA will also award opportunities to test concepts in a dusty Thermal Vacuum Chamber that will simulate the temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions at the lunar south pole.

How to Enter

Enter Phase 2 of NASA’s Break the Ice Lunar Challenge in 4 simple steps

1.
Explore
the Challenge’s new Phase mission task, Phase 2 submission requirements, evaluation criteria, contest rules, eligibility requirements and timeline. These pages can be found via the hamburger navigation menu on top right of screen.
2.
Register
a User Profile then Submit your Phase 2 Registration Form of the Challenge by September 30, 2022.

*Note: All Phase 1 Participants must re-register for Phase 2!

3.
Attend
the informational webinar to be held in June or August.
4.
Submit
Level 1 by November 4th and Level 2 by October 27, 2023.

Open submission is now closed!

Phase 2 Prize Awards

Select a tab to view Level based Prizes

Level 1 Prizes
Total: $500,000

 All teams that submit compliant deliverables by the deadline and are eligible to win the prizes will be awarded an equal share of the $500,000 prize purse.

Up to a maximum of $75,000 per team.

Level 2 Prizes
Total: $1,000,000

1st Place

$300,000

2nd Place

$200,000

3rd Place

$125,000

Up to 5 (five) Runners Up ($75,000 each)

$375,000

Level 2 Total

$1,000,000

Up to 15 teams (including the winners and runners up) that score above the minimum score will be invited to compete in Level 3.

Level 3 Prizes

1st Place: $1,000,000

2nd Place: $500,000

NASA will also award opportunities to test concepts in a dusty Thermal Vacuum Chamber that will simulate the temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions at the lunar south pole. Detailed Prize Purse Distribution and scoring requirements to be eligible to receive the prize will be provided at a later date.

Timeline

1

JUNE 2, 2022

Phase 2 opens
2

JUNE – SEPTEMBER 2022

- Webinars to support registered teams and potential teams
- Promotional activities and/or other support for registered teams
3

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

- Phase 2 registration deadline
- Eligibility Requirements document and Proof of Insurance submission deadline
4

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

Level 1 submission deadline
5

DECEMBER 14, 2022

-Phase 2 Level 1 winners announcement scheduled
6

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Deadline to start long duration testing
7

OCTOBER 27, 2023

Level 2 submission deadline
8

DECEMBER 2023

Level 2 winners’ announcement.
Selection and announcement of all teams that will move to
Level 3
9

MARCH 2024

Deadline for teams to confirm Level 3 participation
10

MAY 2024

Level 3 competition and winners’ announcement

Note: All deadlines are at 11:59 PM Eastern on the specified date.

Level 1 Submission Requirements

Teams will deliver Phase 2: Level 1 Submissions through the Phase 2 Challenge Submission Form.

Phase 2: Level 1 Submission Requirements

  • Submission Title
  • Team Information
  • Technical Abstract
  • Intellectual Property
  • Team Introduction Video
  • Detailed Design Report
  • CAD Models / Drawings
  • Durability Demonstration Test Plan
  • Layout Drawing of Transportation Demonstration Area
  • Legal and other required documentation
Learn More

Ready to get started building your solution?

Read the Phase 2 submission requirements.