NASA announced the Lunar Grounding Challenge on October 6, 2026, offering up to $150,000 in prizes for electrostatic discharge mitigation solutions. Submissions for the challenge close on January 15, 2027.
Charge Buildup Risks
NASA stated that astronauts traversing the lunar South Pole face electric charge accumulation on spacesuits from walking and ambient plasma charging. Entering permanently shadowed regions severely compounds this problem, leaving the suit with a substantial negative potential due to a lack of ambient ion flux and photoelectron emission.
When an astronaut returns to the spacecraft, this extreme voltage differential can trigger electrostatic discharge during physical contact with the stationary lander. NASA warned that a rapid discharge risks degrading vital suit layers, damaging sensitive electronics, threatening the internal oxygen environment, and delivering dangerous electrical shocks.
Challenge Details and Timeline
Through the Lunar Grounding Challenge, NASA is seeking innovative designs and operational solutions to safely discharge a suited astronaut from high triboelectric charge buildup during lunar surface extravehicular activities. The challenge seeks concepts for an electrostatic discharge mitigation solution to neutralize the astronaut before direct interaction with the lander.
The challenge opened on October 5, 2026, and submissions close on January 15, 2027. NASA is offering up to $150,000 in prizes for successful solutions.
Key facts and where they come from
- NASA offers up to $150,000 in prizes for the Lunar Grounding Challenge.
Award: Up to $150,000 in prizes
- The challenge opened on October 5, 2026.
Challenge Open Date: October 5, 2026
- Submissions close on January 15, 2027.
Submissions Close Date: January 15, 2027