NASA is working with commercial and international partners to develop the Gateway, a cis-lunar outpost enabling crewed missions to the Moon (and eventually Mars) that also supports science and industry. The 2019 RASC-AL Competition is seeking undergraduate and graduate teams to develop new concepts that leverage innovations that improve our ability to access and explore destinations in cis-lunar space via the Gateway. This year’s themes range from using the Gateway as the hub of new science capabilities to using it as the jumping-off point for humanity’s return to the lunar surface. Each team’s response should address novel and robust applications to expand humanity’s ability to live and explore beyond Earth.
RASC-AL is open to undergraduate and graduates university-level students studying fields with applications to human space exploration (i.e., aerospace, biomedical, electrical, and mechanical engineering; and life, physical, and computer sciences). RASC-AL projects allow students to incorporate their coursework into real aerospace design concepts and work together in a team environment. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged.
Through RASC-AL, teams and their faculty advisors will design innovative solutions with supporting original engineering and analysis in response to one of the following themes:
- Theme 1: Gateway Logistics as a Science Platform
- Theme 2: Gateway-based Cis-Lunar Tug
- Theme 3: Gateway-based Human Lunar Surface Access
- Theme 4: Gateway Uncrewed Utilization & Operations
In 2019, up to 14 teams may be chosen to compete at the RASC-AL Forum in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Each team will receive a monetary award to facilitate full participation in the RASC-AL Forum. The teams with the top two winning papers will be invited to present their design projects to industry experts at a major Aerospace conference, such as AIAA Space 2019 or IAC 2019 (additional travel stipends provided).
Notes for all RASC-AL Projects:
- Attention should be given to the following:
- Synergistic applications of NASA’s planned current investments.
- Unique combinations of the planned elements with new innovative capabilities/technologies to support crewed and robotic exploration of the solar system.
- Realistic assessment of costs for technology maturation, system development, and production and operations.
Helpful Resources: Teams should thoroughly review the documents on the recommended reading list found on the RASC-AL Resources Page.
Image Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Location:
United StatesBenefits
- OVERALL COMPETITION WINNERS
- The top two overall winning teams will be awarded a travel stipend to present their concept at an aerospace conference, such as AIAA Space 2019 or IAC 2019.
- OTHER RECOGNITION AWARDS MAY INCLUDE:
- First Place – Undergraduate
- First Place – Graduate
- Best in Theme
- The PEACH award
- THE PEACH AWARD
- Lewis Peach served as the Chairman of the RASC-AL Steering Committee for more than a decade as an inspirational leader, mentor, and friend. To honour Lewis’ ever-present, inspiring the love of space exploration and learning, and for his enduring commitment to innovation and excellence, an annual RASC-AL innovation award has been established and will bear his name as the “Pioneering Exceptional Achievement Concept Honor” Award.” The PEACH will recognize the most innovative idea or meaningful concept presented at the RASC-AL Forum. This award represents the incredible accomplishments Lewis made to space exploration and links to the future promise of bright RASC-AL students who will hopefully follow in Lewis’ footsteps, blazing new trails for space exploration.
Eligibilities
Eligible Regions: Open for All.Application Process
- For more information on deadline please visit the official link.
- Apply online through the given link.
Application Deadline: January 18, 2019
Application ClosedOfficial link