NASA is once again turning to the public for help—and this time, there’s $100,000 on the line. The agency is inviting innovative thinkers, engineers, and everyday problem-solvers to tackle a specific challenge facing future space missions. The competition is open, the problem is real, and the payout is substantial.
Here’s everything you need to know about why NASA is offering $100,000 to anyone who can solve this problem—and how you could be the one to crack it.
What’s the Problem NASA Wants Solved?
NASA is offering $100,000 to anyone who can help develop a sustainable system for space-based waste management. In plain terms: astronauts need a better way to deal with trash during long-term missions to the Moon and Mars.
Current systems aren’t built for the scale or duration of these upcoming missions. With limited space and no room for error, NASA needs a system that can safely process, reduce, or reuse waste materials—ideally without taking up valuable space or requiring frequent maintenance.
This problem isn’t just about garbage; it touches on life support, safety, and mission longevity. If we’re going to have humans living on the Moon or Mars, we need smart, reliable ways to handle waste. That’s where you come in.
The NASA Waste to Base Challenge
The initiative is officially called the “Waste to Base Materials Challenge,” and it’s being run through NASA’s Tournament Lab in collaboration with HeroX, an open innovation platform. The goal is to find ways to convert waste into usable resources—like water, fuel, or building materials.
Participants are encouraged to think creatively but practically. Solutions must be technically feasible and scalable to real-world space missions. This is not science fiction—it’s science with immediate applications.
Who Can Enter?
The short answer: almost anyone. You don’t need to work for a space agency or have a Ph.D. You just need a solid idea and the ability to explain how it would work. NASA welcomes entries from individuals, teams, startups, and academic groups.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can submit their ideas directly on HeroX’s website. The submission process includes a detailed proposal and supporting documentation. Finalists may be invited to present their ideas and demonstrate how they would function in space-like conditions.
The total prize pool is $100,000, with awards distributed across the top submissions.
Why It Matters
NASA is offering $100,000 not just as a reward, but as an investment in innovation. Solving this problem could directly support humanity’s future on other planets. It’s also a reminder that space exploration is a global effort—and brilliant ideas can come from anywhere.
If you’ve ever thought about how to solve a big problem with a creative solution, now’s your chance. NASA is offering $100,000 to anyone who can solve this problem. Think you’ve got what it takes?
