Watts on the Moon Phase 2 Video
Hello solvers - we wish you all the best in the coming hours as you prepare to submit.
As a reminder of why this challenge is so important to NASA and the world, please watch the brief video linked below.
This is a US competition only. Please review the Team Agreement for complete eligibility requirements.
The Watts on the Moon challenge seeks to attract innovative engineering approaches to integrating power transmission and energy storage in order to enable missions operating in the extreme cold vacuum of the lunar surface. Successful demonstrations from this challenge will complement ongoing NASA investments in lunar surface power generation.
Under the Artemis program, NASA plans to return to the Moon using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before and applying what we learn to take the next giant leap—sending astronauts to Mars.
This mission will require lunar surface power systems that can deliver continuous, reliable power to support various industrial activities as well as human habitation. However, new technologies and systems will be needed to address these needs. Specifically, NASA has identified two critical gaps for lunar surface power systems:
Given that NASA will likely need to transport power systems to the lunar surface, maximizing system efficiency and minimizing system mass will be important to addressing both gaps.
The Watts on the Moon Challenge is a $5 million, two-phase competition focused on addressing critical gaps in lunar surface power systems, specifically related to power transmission and energy storage.
NASA is seeking solutions that can be designed and built and then tested in simulated lunar conditions and are well-positioned to progress toward flight readiness and future operation on the lunar surface after the challenge.
Such solutions may also have important synergies with terrestrial energy needs, and this challenge is expected to help advance similar technologies for terrestrial application and commercialization.
Challenge is not focused on power generation
This challenge is not focused on power generation. Although power generation will be critical to activities on the lunar surface, NASA already has a variety of programs focused on developing and deploying power generation solutions.
Teams should not propose any power generation as part of their solution. Such proposals will not be evaluated by the judging panel.
Phase 1 of the competition launched in September 2020 and lasted eight months. Seven winners were announced in May 2021 and were awarded a total of $500,000 in prize purses.
Phase 2 of the competition will last approximately 30 months and award up to $4.5 million. Phase 2 will take place in three segments, called Competition Levels. In each Competition Level, eligible Teams will submit the required materials and will be evaluated on their submission and scored by the judging panel.
No Mission Scenario in Phase 2
Phase 1 of the challenge included a hypothetical mission scenario and mission activities that teams were asked to address. Phase 2 of the challenge includes no such mission scenario. Teams should address the Phase 2 Technical Requirements, as described below.
Updated March 7, 2022. See details here.
Please view the Official Challenge Rules in a PDF document here.
In Phase 2, NASA is seeking solutions that:
Key performance requirements, environmental conditions, and assumptions are explained below.
NASA has designed a conceptual power load profile and environmental conditions intended to represent a portion of a lunar mission (see FIGURE 1). Teams are expected to design and build solutions that:
Figure 1. Watts on the Moon Challenge Phase 2 Power Timeline. Teams must draw all energy used for power delivery and thermal management from the NASA Power Source during the two indicated Power Source Active for Transmission periods and provide the indicated power levels to a NASA Load Bank continuously throughout the test (from Time = 0 to Time = 48 hours). Power must be delivered to the load bank between 24-32 VDC. The indicated active power levels shown are equal to the average power transmission level for a 100% efficient solution. Total (stored) energy delivered to the NASA Load Bank during Power Load from Storage Only periods is ~5,500 Watt-hours. Maximum allowable power draw from the NASA Power Source is 6,000 Watts. Solutions are nominally surrounded by a liquid nitrogen cold wall (~77 K), an insulated floor, and a 10-3 Torr (or lower) vacuum.
This challenge does not seek to address all possible environmental conditions on the lunar surface, but rather, the key environmental conditions that represent critical technology gaps.
The relevant environmental conditions for this challenge are:
Other environmental conditions on the lunar surface, such as dust and radiation, are not part of this challenge, and Teams are not required to address them.
Teams should make the following assumptions in developing their solutions. Note, Teams are not responsible for the design or implementation of any features of any of the NASA Power Source or NASA Load Bank described below. In addition, Teams should not propose modification of the NASA Power Source or the NASA Load Bank as part of their solution.
Phase 2 includes a registration period and three levels of competition. Each is explained in more detail below. Teams should note that, if they are chosen to participate in Competition Level 2, they must provide proof of insurance as outlined in the Team Agreement.
TABLE 1 provides an overview of the expected timeline for Phase 2.
TABLE 1.
Competition Calendar
Competition Level | Event
| Duration and Timing
| Date |
Competition Level 1 (~6 months) | Phase 2 opens Competition Level 1 begins
| -- | February 23, 2022
|
Registration deadline Competition Level 1 submissions due
| ~4 months after Phase 2 opens
| June 15, 2022 | |
Competition Level 1 judging and winner selection
| ~2 months after submission deadline
| June – August 2022 | |
Competition Level 1 winners announced End of Competition Level 1
| -- | August 2022 | |
Competition Level 2 (~11 months) | Competition Level 2 begins
| -- | August 2022 |
Competition Level 2 submissions due
| ~6 months after Competition Level 2 begins
| February 8, 2023 | |
Site visits by observer groups (in-person or virtual)
| ~3 months after submission deadline
| February 2023 – May 2023 | |
Competition Level 2 judging and winner selection
| ~2 months after site visits
| May – July 2023 | |
Competition Level 2 winners announced End of Competition Level 2
| -- | July 2023 | |
Competition Level 3 (~13 months) | Competition Level 3 begins
| -- | July 2023 |
Competition Level 3 safety reviews Teams may continue working on submissions during this period
| Up to 2 months prior to submission deadline
| February – March 2024
| |
Competition Level 3 submissions due
| ~9 months after Competition Level 3 begins (includes up to 2 months for safety reviews)
| April 3, 2024 | |
Testing at NASA
| ~3 months after submission deadline
| April – July 2024
| |
Competition Level 3 judging and winner selection
| ~1 month after testing | August 2024 | |
Competition Level 3 winners announced End of Competition Level 3 and Phase 2
| -- | August or September 2024 |
Any eligible individual or organization that meets the eligibility criteria provided in Appendix A may participate in Phase 2. Teams are not required to have participated in Phase 1.
To register, Teams must either upload the executed Team Agreement or provide the details required for HeroX to prepare and send the agreement, via RightSignature, for execution. To participate in Phase 2, Teams must execute the Team Agreement and other required documents by June 22, 2022 (7 days after the Competition Level 1 submission deadline).
Teams selected for an award will be required to provide proof of citizenship/permanent residency, proof of primary place of business, proof of incorporation, and/or proof of student visa. Proof must be provided within 3 business days to be eligible for an award. Any Team or team member who submitted the required proof documents in Phase 1 and was deemed eligible to compete will not be required to submit this documentation again in Phase 2. Teams must indicate which documents from Phase 1 should apply to Phase 2 entry and provide confirmation that all documents are still valid.
The registration process will be administered by HeroX. Registration will take place through the official Challenge website: https://www.herox.com/WattsOnTheMoon. Additional details regarding the process for registration are available here.
In Competition Level 1, Teams will develop detailed engineering design and analyses of their solution, similar to what is required in an engineering preliminary design review. The Competition Level 1 Template outlines the specific elements that Teams must address and describes how each element will be scored. The Competition Level 1 Template is provided in Appendix B.
Teams will complete and submit the Competition Level 1 Template by the Competition Level 1 submission deadline, June 15, 2022, at 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.
Following the submission deadline, the judging panel will review, evaluate, and score submissions. Up to seven (7) winning Teams will be awarded prizes and move onto Competition Level 2. Only winning Teams from Competition Level 1 will be permitted to participate in Competition Level 2. In addition, NASA personnel will review each winning Team’s plan for Level 2 testing and analysis and indicate whether the plan is “sufficient” or “insufficient” with regard to each of the Competition Level 2 Performance Metrics (see Appendix C). Teams will receive an evaluation form indicating which areas are “sufficient” or “insufficient”; however NASA will not provide any specific notes or suggestions to Teams regarding their plans; Teams will be solely responsible for updating their plans (if necessary) and executing their plans in Competition Level 2, as described below.
In Competition Level 2, Teams will develop and demonstrate (through testing and analysis) key components of their solution, similar to what is required in an engineering critical design review. The purpose of Competition Level 2 testing and analysis is to demonstrate two aspects of their solution:
The Competition Level 2 Template outlines the specific elements that Teams must address and describes how each element will be scored. The Competition Level 2 Template is provided in Appendix D.
In addition, prior to the Competition Level 2 submission deadline, Teams will be asked to confirm the location/facility that will be used for Competition Level 2 testing.
Teams will complete and submit the following three items by the Competition Level 2 submission deadline, February 8, 2023 at 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time:
Following the Competition Level 2 submission deadline, NASA will send an observer group to conduct a site visit. Site visits will take place in person, unless COVID-19 or other conditions necessitate that site visits be conducted virtually. The observer group may include one or more NASA personnel and a member of the judging panel. During the site visit, Teams must conduct relevant activities outlined in their Testing Plan for Competition Level 2. During the site visit, the observer group will validate the performance results and ask any additional questions necessary to understand and assess the Team’s performance. The observer group will record and submit their findings to the judging panel for consideration in judging.
Each site visit is expected to be completed within one day; all site visits will be completed within two months. Site visits may be conducted concurrently by different observer groups. Teams may request a specific date for their site visit; however, a Team’s preferred date is not guaranteed. Teams will be provided with reasonable notice to confirm the date of the site visit. Additional details regarding site visits will be provided to Teams after Competition Level 2 commences.
Following completion of all site visits, the judging panel will review, evaluate, and score submissions. Up to four (4) winning Teams will be awarded prizes and move onto Competition Level 3. Only winning Teams from Competition Level 2 will be permitted to participate in Competition Level 3.
In Competition Level 3, Teams will refine their hardware and submit a full system prototype for testing in simulated lunar conditions at NASA facilities.
Up to two months before the Competition Level 3 submission deadline, Teams must complete a safety review to demonstrate that the Team’s hardware will operate safely during Competition Level 3 testing. For this review, Teams must submit an updated version of the safety analysis they submitted in Competition Levels 1 and 2. This safety analysis must identify potential safety hazards and discuss how those hazards have been mitigated. Teams will make a virtual presentation of the safety analysis to a NASA safety committee. The committee must approve the safety of each Team’s solution before it can be delivered to any NASA facility. If NASA cannot approve a Team’s solution because the solution cannot be deemed sufficiently safe, the Team may be ineligible to test in a NASA facility and ineligible to win a prize.
Following NASA’s approval of the safety analysis, Teams will submit the following items:
Teams will provide these items by shipping or delivery to a NASA facility; the exact shipping address will be provided to Teams prior to the shipping deadline. The shipping deadline will be April 3, 2024.
The testing period for each Team is expected to last up to two weeks and will include integration of the Team’s solution into the testing facilities and testing. Teams may participate in the hardware integration into the test facility under the observation and supervision of NASA. Teams are expected to have at least one team member, approved by NASA, present during the testing period. Teams may request specific dates for their testing period; however, a Team’s preferred dates are not guaranteed.
Prior to Competition Level 3 installation and testing, NASA will measure the mass of hardware submitted. Potential adjustments to this mass measurement are discussed in Appendix F.
After a Team’s solution has been integrated into the testing facilities but before testing commences, NASA will conduct a test readiness review. If test readiness is deemed insufficient, the Team will have up to two days to remedy any issue under NASA observation and supervision. If sufficient remedies cannot be made, the Team may not proceed with testing and will not be eligible to win. If any remedy impacts the mass of a Team’s hardware, NASA will make any necessary adjustments to the mass measurement.
Following the test readiness review, NASA will conduct testing for each solution to determine its ability to deliver power to loads described in FIGURE 1 under simulated lunar conditions. Specifically, NASA intends to use a thermal vacuum chamber that will simulate the temperatures and atmospheric pressure described in FIGURE 1. Preliminary details regarding expected testing operations can be found in Appendix G. Any updated details and resources regarding testing operations will be provided at the challenge website.
During Competition Level 3 testing, NASA will determine the total system efficiency of each solution by the ratio of the energy delivered to the NASA Load Bank to the energy drawn from the NASA power source.
Teams will be scored based on Total Effective System Mass, which is equal to the Total System Mass plus Excess Power Mass Penalty, as described in the Competition Level 3 Scoring System. Additional details regarding scoring can be found in Appendix F.
Following testing, the judging panel will review, evaluate, and score the test results. Up to two (2) winners will be awarded prizes. Each team that participates in Competition Level 3 testing will also receive a facility testing report with their testing data and performance results.
For eligibility to win a prize, see the Watts on the Moon Phase 2 Team Agreement.
NASA expects an available total prize purse for Phase 2 of up to $4.5 million. NASA will award prizes to the winners of each Competition Level, as described in TABLE 2 below.
TABLE 2. Phase 2 Prize Purse Distribution
Competition Level | Number of Winners
| Prize Purse per Winner | Total Prize Purses Awarded |
Competition Level 1
| Up to 7 | $200,000 | $1.40 million |
Competition Level 2
| Up to 4 | $400,000 | $1.60 million |
Competition Level 3 | Up to 2
| 1st place: $1,000,000 2nd place: $500,000
| $1.50 million |
Total
| $4.5 million |
Appendix B: Competition Level 1 Submission Template.
Appendix C: NASA Review of Competition Level 2 Testing and Analysis Plans.
Appendix D: Competition Level 2 Submission Template.
Appendix E: Judging Rubric in Competition Levels 1 and 2.
Appendix F: Competition Level 3 Scoring.
Appendix G: Preliminary Testing Operations in Competition Level 3.
Hello solvers - we wish you all the best in the coming hours as you prepare to submit.
As a reminder of why this challenge is so important to NASA and the world, please watch the brief video linked below.
If you're still assembling your submission, you have exactly 8 hours left to complete it!
Here's a Tip: HeroX recommends innovators plan to submit with at least a 3-hour window of time before the true deadline. Last-minute technical problems and unforeseen roadblocks have been the cause of many headaches. Don't let that be you!
That's right, the NASA's Watts on the Moon Challenge will be closing this coming June 15th at 5 pm Eastern Time (New York/USA).
Please be sure to complete your submission form well before the exact cut-off time.
At exactly 5 pm ET, we can no longer accept new submissions!
Got questions?
Now is the time to speak up! Comment directly on this update with any questions about the submission process and we'll get back to you right away!
We are quickly approaching the final days open for submission to the NASA's Watts on the Moon Challenge. The deadline is June 15th at 5 pm Eastern Time (New York/USA.)
Here are a couple of last-minute tips for a smooth entry process:
1. Begin your submission process several days before the cutoff time. This allows you to ensure everything you have been working on can be seamlessly integrated into the form.
2. Your submission will not be reviewed until you click the orange "Submit Entry" button at the top of the final review page. Please remember to do this!
3. Review the Challenge Guidelines to ensure your submission is complete. Pay particular attention to the judging criteria which will be the scorecard used to evaluate your entry.
4. Have any questions? Head over to the challenge forum and we would love to help you out.
Thanks so much, and good luck to all!
There's exactly one week left to submit your solution to the NASA's Watts on the Moon Challenge!
You're so close. You can do this!
Remember, the final submission deadline is June 15th at 5 pm Eastern Time (New York/USA). No submissions received after this time will be accepted, so make sure to get yours in as soon as possible. Any last-minute questions or concerns can go right in the comments section of this update.
GOOD LUCK!
Yes, but it’s quick and easy. Just click the “Solve this Challenge” button on this page and follow the instructions to complete your registration. All you need to provide is your name and email address.
If you have a question not answered in the FAQ, we recommend that you post it in the Forum where someone will respond to you. This way, others who may have the same question will be able to see it.
The Watts on the Moon Challenge is a $5 million, approximately 36-month competition to
incentivize new solutions for integrating power transmission and energy storage in order to
enable missions operating in the extreme cold vacuum of the lunar surface. Phase 1 of this
challenge lasted approximately 8 months and offered $500,000 in prize purses.
Phase 2 of this challenge will last approximately 30 months and offer up to $4,500,000 in
prize purses.
See HeroX website for a complete listing: https://herox.com/WattsOnTheMoon
Phase 2 Opens for Registration | 2/23/22 |
Phase 2 Competition Level 1 Award Ceremony | 8/2022 |
Phase 2 Competition Level 2 Award Ceremony | 7/2023 |
Phase 2 Competition Level 3 Award Ceremony and Completion | 9/2024 |
For Phase 2, the prize purse will be up to $4.5 million. Additional details about the number
of winners and division of prize purses in Phase 2 (including milestone prizes) are included in
the Phase 2 challenge rules.
This challenge is not focused on power generation. Teams should not propose any power
generation as part of their solution. Such proposals will not be evaluated by the judging panel.
No, mission scenarios will not be used for Phase 2.
NASA is seeking solutions that can be designed and built and then tested in simulated lunar
conditions and are well-positioned to progress toward flight readiness and future operation on
the lunar surface after the challenge.
Power Transmission that can deliver power from a remote generation source to critical
mission operation loads where a) power loads are frequently or permanently immersed in
extreme cold; and b) there are large variations in average power loads versus peak power
loads. NASA has significant interest in both wired and wireless transmission, and the
challenge seeks to incentivize and demonstrate both types of solutions.
Energy Storage that can a) power mission operation loads when power generation is not
available; and b) survive and operate in extreme cold environments.
Given that NASA will likely need to transport power systems to the lunar surface,
maximizing system efficiency and minimizing system mass will be important to addressing
both gaps.
Teams chosen to participate in Competition Level 3 will test their solutions at a facility
chosen by NASA.
Please visit https://www.herox.com/WattsOnTheMoon for all challenge information,
including Challenge Rules, Team Agreement, and the Challenge Timeline.
The Lead NASA Center is the Glenn Research Center with Marshall Space Flight Center
being responsible for operating the Challenge.
NASA Centennial Challenges, as part of the Prizes, Challenges and Crowdsourcing Program,
is providing the $5,000,000 prize purse, and has partnered with Glenn Research Center, the
Lead Center, to develop and conduct this challenge. HeroX is the challenge administrator.
HeroX is a for-profit spin off of the XPRIZE Foundation. It is a platform that allows anyone
to launch a Crowdsourcing Project in an area they care about. NASA has contracted with
HeroX to help with the promotion and administration of the challenge.
All questions related to participating and/or competing in the challenge should be sent to
info@herox.com.
Questions sent to any other email address or individual will not be addressed.
Media inquiries should be directed to:
Molly Porter
NASA Centennial Challenge
molly.a.porter@nasa.gov
+ 1 256-544-2772
Jamie Elliott
HeroX
jamie@herox.com
+ 1(301) 468-6071
For Phase 2, Competition Level 1, there will not be an insurance requirement for the
competitors. For Phase 2, Competition Level 2, all individuals and entities are required to
have adequate insurance coverage as described in the Team Agreement. For Phase 2,
Competition Level 3, NASA will decide if insurance is required and what amount based on
the proposed solution.
NASA’s goals for this challenge are twofold: 1) to advance the technology for energy
transmission and storage for long term missions and 2) to engage with a broader community
of energy and multidisciplinary experts for the advancement of space exploration.
As NASA works to extend human exploration of the solar system, unprecedented capacity for
power transmission and energy storage will be needed to support sustained human presence
and the beginning of industrial activity. These areas represent key technology needs for
NASA where new ideas and approaches can augment investments NASA is making in power
generation.
First, visit https://www.herox.com/WattsOnTheMoon and download the required
documentation to submit your information. Eligible competitors can participate in Phase 2,
without having participated in Phase 1.
First, visit https://www.herox.com/WattsOnTheMoon and there you will find all the
Eligibility documentation and can submit your information. Below is some information on
Eligibility:
a. Individuals must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States and must be
18 years of age or older.
b. Organizations must be an entity incorporated in and maintaining a primary place of
business in the United States.
c. Teams must be comprised of otherwise eligible individuals or organizations and led by an
otherwise eligible individual or organization.
In Phase 2, NASA is seeking solutions that:
In Phase 2, Teams should design solutions to deliver power from a NASA Power Source with
the following characteristics:
In Phase 2, Teams should design solutions to deliver power to a NASA Load Bank with the
following characteristics:
No, this challenge is not focused on transporting solutions to the lunar surface. Teams should
not address transport to the lunar surface in their submissions.
Teams will not be required to demonstrate how their solution would be deployed on the lunar
surface after landing. However, Teams will be required to describe methods and solutions to
the challenges of post-landing surface deployment or set up of their power transmission
designs under lunar-surface environmental conditions.
The entire hardware package will be supported on an insulated floor and otherwise surrounded by a liquid nitrogen cold wall in vacuum.
The power supply characteristics described in the rules indicate an operating voltage and up to 6000w is available. Similarly, the power profile in the rules indicates the power level that must be delivered by the team's package staying within a voltage range.
Material properties are not specified by the competition rules, but are the responsibility of competing teams to determine in the development of their concept.
As described in the rules, the maximum power available during the periods when the power supply is active is 6000watts. The illustration indicates the average power draw level that would be used by a 100% efficient system.
The clear objective of the rules is for teams to develop and implement hardware solutions to this challenge. We anticipate that some teams may choose to develop performance models as part of their early design and development work.