As part of the Artemis program, the Micro-g Neutral Buoyance Experiment Design Team (Micro-g NExT) challenges undergraduate students to design, build and test a tool or device that addresses an authentic, current space exploration challenge. The 2023 Micro-g NExT challenges focused on astronaut training, Orion crew safety, spacewalk operations for the International Space Station, and moonwalk operations.
As part of the (Micro-g NExT) test week, which occurred June 5-7, 2023, teams of college students from across the U.S. tested their devices to address current space exploration challenges identified by NASA engineers as necessary in space exploration missions.
Eighteen teams were selected to spend three days at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and NBL (Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory) testing their prototypes in the 6.2-million-gallon pool at the Sonny Carter Test Facility near NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston that simulates a microgravity environment.
Professional divers tested the tools while students directed the divers from the test conductor room. After testing student teams received feedback from the test subjects regarding the useability, functionality, and effectiveness of their prototypes for potential usefulness in future Artemis lunar missions.
NASA scientists and engineers served as mentors, providing advice and expertise to help guide their projects. Micro-g NExT challenge owners, also NASA engineers, provided additional guidance and support to ensure designs met challenge requirements.
After testing of their designs, teams presented their outreach program plans and development processes for their designs in a poster session at NASA Johnson.
This year’s participants came from 14 different institutions, including four new institutions, and two minority serving institutions.
The institutions selected for the 2023 Micro-g NExT Challenge include:
- Boise State University, Boise, ID
- California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
- Iowa State University, Ames, IA
- James Madison University, Harrisburg VA
- Kent State University, Columbus, OH
- Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
- South Plains College, Levelland, TX
- University of Houston-Clear Lake, Clear Lake TX
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
- University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK
- University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
NASA’s Artemis Student Challenges are managed by NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, using NASA’s unique missions and programs to engage and encourage students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers.
Learn more about Micro-g NExT and other Artemis student challenges at:
https://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov/about-micro-g-next
https://stem.nasa.gov/artemis/
Learn more about NASA internship opportunities at: NASA Internship Programs
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