2024 Challenge Finalists

Announcing the 2024 BIG Idea Challenge Awardees!

Six teams were selected as finalists in the 2024 BIG Idea Challenge for their technologies that will support inflatable systems for lunar operations.

View the Awardees' Summaries Read the Story at NASA.gov

Check back here March 2024 for the list of Finalist Teams!

2024 BIG Idea Challenge Awardees:

Arizona State University
AEGIS - Inflatable Lunar Landing Pad System
Faculty Advisors: Dr. James Bell, James Rice, Josh Clang, Tyler Smith
_____________

Brigham Young University
Untethered and Modular Inflatable Robots for Lunar Operations
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Nathan Usevitch, Dr. Marc Killpack, Cory Tholl
_____________

California Institute of Technology with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Cislune, and Friends of Amateur Rocketry
PILLARS: Plume-deployed Inflatable for Launch and Landing Abrasive Regolith Shielding
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Soon-Jo Chung, Kalind Carpenter, Dr. Joseph Shepherd, Dr. Charles Elachi, Dr. Greg Agnes (JPL)
_____________

Northwestern University with National Aerospace Corporation and IMS Engineered Products
METALS: Metallic Expandable Technology for Artemis Lunar Structures
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Ian McCue, Dr. Ryan Truby
_____________

University of Maryland
Auxiliary Inflatable Wheels for Lunar Rover
Faculty Advisor: Dr. David Akin
_____________

University of Michigan
Cargo-BEEP (Cargo Balancing Expandable Exploration Platform)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. John Shaw