Space Agency Seeks Innovative Ways to Recycle 96 Bags of Moon Poop
NASA is offering a $3 million prize for scientists who can develop a way to recycle 96 bags of human waste left on the moon by Apollo astronauts. The “LunaRecycle Challenge” aims to transform decades-old astronaut feces, urine, and vomit into usable resources like water, energy, or fertilizer for future lunar missions.
During the 1960s-70s Apollo missions, astronauts discarded waste to lighten their spacecraft for return trips. Now, as NASA prepares for its Artemis program, the agency wants sustainable solutions for managing space waste. The competition closed March 31, 2025, with global participants submitting technologies to process solid waste in space environments.
“NASA is committed to sustainable space exploration,” the agency stated, emphasizing the need to minimize Earth-bound waste during future missions. The winning solution could help establish long-term lunar habitats while addressing one of space travel’s messiest challenges.
Source: Ground News