Space Technology Mission Directorate

Centennial Challenges
Prizes, Challenges, & Crowdsourcing News
Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing Program
Space Technology Mission Directorate
NASA named a team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as the first prize winner for Phase 2 of the agency’s LunaRecycle Challenge, which focused on developing solutions for reducing waste during missions to the Moon or deep space by recycling common materials, like fabrics, plastics, foam, and metals.  The Composites for Extraterre
Posted August 28, 2026
Johnson Space Center
Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation (CoECI)
Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing Program
Space Technology Mission Directorate
As NASA prepares to establish the Moon Base, advancing surface mobility will be key to helping crews and robotic systems travel farther across the lunar surface.  To help advance that capability, the Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge invited public innovators to design and build next-generation lunar rover wheels.  Five teams from 128 submissions a
Posted August 17, 2026
Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing Program
Get Involved
Langley Research Center
Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative
Opportunities to Contribute to NASA Missions & Get Involved
Prizes, Challenges, & Crowdsourcing News
Research and Technology Mission Directorate
Space Technology Mission Directorate
NASA is asking U.S.-based collegiate teams to submit bold, original concepts to the 2027 edition of a student challenge focused on aerospace innovation that could help the agency envision a future on the Moon shaped by new technology.  The latest NASA Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts – Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) competition invites student
Posted August 14, 2026
Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate
Ames Research Center
Research and Technology Mission Directorate
Small Spacecraft Technology Program
Space Technology Mission Directorate
Technology
NASA is working with industry to advance the next phase of cislunar infrastructure for the agency’s Artemis program and Moon Base, including orbital assets and demonstrations.
Posted July 24, 2026
Space Technology Mission Directorate
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program
NIAC Studies
Research and Technology Mission Directorate
Paul StankusBrookhaven Science Associates The scientific goal of the proposed work will be reconstructing the image, ie resolving surface features, of an Earth-like exoplanet around a nearby star as seen in visible light. The innovation is in two stages.
Posted July 21, 2026
Space Technology Mission Directorate
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program
NIAC Studies
Research and Technology Mission Directorate
Benjamin SchaferRarified Technologies, Inc. We propose a new approach to atmospheric sensing at 30-100 km altitudes using photophoretically levitating tracers. These lightweight structures harness sunlight to remain suspended for up to months at controlled altitudes and can be remotely tracked by satellite-based lidar or radar.
Posted July 21, 2026
Space Technology Mission Directorate
Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative
Moon Base
Long-term lunar exploration requires technology, infrastructure, and operations that function together cohesively on the surface of the Moon. To accelerate the development of key lunar surface systems and reduce risk, NASA and industry must work together in the design, development, testing, and evaluation of innovative solutions that support U.S.
Posted June 29, 2026
Space Technology Mission Directorate
Glenn Research Center
Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative
Lunar Surface Technology Research
Technology
Solicitation Number: 80GRC026R0008 May 19, 2026 – Synopsis issued June 29, 2026 – Draft BAA and Appendix A Issued | Web Article   NASA issued a draft Broad Agency Announcement under NextSTEP‑3, Appendix A, on June 29, 2026, to advance concepts that accelerate the technological readiness of critical systems for lunar surface and cislunar architectur
Posted June 29, 2026
Cryogenic Fluid Management (CFM)
Marshall Space Flight Center
Missions
Space Technology Mission Directorate
Technology Demonstration
Technology Demonstration Missions Program
For NASA’s next generation of deep space exploration missions, spacecraft may need to refuel in Earth orbit before pushing farther into the solar system. Similar to how a gas pump needs a nozzle to fit your fuel tank, future spacecraft could require a special device in order to fill up prior to departure, known as […]
Posted June 26, 2026
Technology
Space Technology Mission Directorate
NASA selected 41 proposals from 37 companies to advance technologies in support of the agency’s goals to establish a long-term presence on the Moon and enable human exploration of Mars.
Posted June 26, 2026
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