


Centennial Challenges
NASA initiated Centennial Challenges in 2005 to create public prize competitions that stimulate revolutionary research, technology development, and prototype demonstrations. These challenges strive to be audacious and inspirational with a focus on long-range NASA goals while addressing complex mission needs. Challenges also identify new sources of expertise and stimulate current and new markets for government and commercial collaboration. The competitions ensure NASA’s needs are met and provide terrestrial applications and opportunities for the betterment of humanity.
Centennial Challenges encourages hands-on, grassroots approaches to identifying and cultivating communities of innovators, including small businesses, student groups, and individuals. Competitors are not supported by government funding, and awards are only made to successful teams when the challenges are met. Centennial Challenges is part of NASA’s Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing program.
NASA’s LunaRecycle Challenge
Innovating Waste Management and Recycling Systems for Long-Duration Space Travel
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Past Challenges
From 3D Printed Habitats and Astronaut gloves to lunar landers and sample robots, see some of our past challenges and winners.
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Media Resources
Learn about the NASA Centennial Challenges program and how we look to generate innovative solutions for technical problems of interest to NASA and the nation while providing participants with the opportunity to stimulate or create new business ventures.
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