NASA Calls for Proposals to Accelerate Lunar Surface Technologies

On Tuesday, Sept. 8, NASA announced a solicitation to advance technologies and infrastructure needed for exploring the Moon and establishing a Moon Base in the lunar South Pole region. The release specifically targets capability gaps, including power generation, oxygen extraction, and producing materials on the Moon required for construction and operations.

The NextSTEP-3 Broad Agency Announcement Appendix A: Lunar Enabling Infrastructure Accelerator solicitation aims to mature and demonstrate capabilities in five areas: vertical solar array technology for consistent power generation, management, distribution, and energy storage; in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) to extract oxygen molecularly bonded to lunar rock and dust; a radioisotope Stirling generator that uses heat from fissile materials to produce electric power in dark, remote locations; in-space advanced manufacturing to reduce reliance on Earth resupply; and innovative nanomaterials production to improve commercial availability and quality for lunar exploration.

NASA's Greg Stover, director of the Advanced Research and Technology Division, said the agency is accelerating key technologies and closing critical gaps for long-term human exploration at the Moon, and that partnering with industry will strengthen the U.S. industrial base. The solicitation is intended to cultivate U.S.-led capabilities while maintaining full and open competition among private industry, academic institutions, not-for-profit entities, and international partners participating through U.S.-led teams. NASA may apply insights from resulting contracts, such as technical data and demonstration results, to shape future acquisition strategies.