{"id":9596,"date":"2023-11-21T12:19:42","date_gmt":"2023-11-21T16:19:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zobi.alcowep.com\/bourtagshdrevxnls658739\/university-of-utah-takes-top-honors-in-big-idea-lunar-forge-challenge\/"},"modified":"2023-11-21T12:19:42","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T16:19:42","slug":"university-of-utah-takes-top-honors-in-big-idea-lunar-forge-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zobi.alcowep.com\/bourtagshdrevxnls658739\/university-of-utah-takes-top-honors-in-big-idea-lunar-forge-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"University of Utah\u00a0takes top honors in BIG Idea Lunar Forge Challenge\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

University of Utah\u00a0takes top honors in BIG Idea Lunar Forge Challenge\u00a0<\/h2>\n

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A member of the winning team of NASA\u2019s 2023\u2019s BIG Idea Challenge working on their Lunar Forge project, Production of Steel from Lunar Regolith through Carbonyl Iron Refining (CIR)<\/em>.<\/div>\n
University of Utah<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Through Artemis, NASA plans to conduct long-duration human and robotic missions on the lunar surface in preparation for future crewed exploration of Mars. Expanding exploration capabilities requires a robust lunar infrastructure, including practical and cost-effective ways to construct a lunar base. One method is employing in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) \u2013 or the ability to use naturally occurring resources \u2013 to produce consumables and build structures in the future<\/a>, which will make explorers more Earth-independent. \u00a0<\/p>\n

An ISRU process that NASA wants to learn more about is forging metals from lunar minerals to create structures and tools in the future. Through its 2023 Breakthrough, Innovative and Game-Changing (BIG) Idea <\/a>Lunar Forge Challenge, NASA sought innovative concepts from university students to design an ISRU metal production pipeline on the Moon. The year-and-a-half-long challenge, funded by NASA\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) and Office of STEM Engagement, supports NASA\u2019s Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative<\/a> in developing new approaches and novel technologies to pave the way for successful exploration on the surface of the Moon.<\/p>\n

Finalist teams presented their research, designs, prototypes, and testing results to a panel of NASA and industry judges at a culminating forum on Nov. 16, in Cleveland, Ohio.<\/p>\n

The University of Utah team, partnering with Powder Metallurgy Research Laboratory, earned the Artemis Award, which represents top honors in the 2023 BIG Idea Challenge. <\/strong>Their lunar forge project,\u00a0Production of Steel from Lunar Regolith through Carbonyl Iron Refining (CIR)<\/em><\/a>,<\/em> represents a promising avenue to extract iron from reduced lunar regolith and refine it into a high purity powder product in a two-stage process.\u00a0The Artemis Award is given to the team whose concept has the best potential to contribute to and be integrated into an Artemis mission.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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There were multiple times we came close to scrapping the concept, but each time we found the strength to go a little farther. Our small group was driven by a genuine belief in the concept and curiosity of what would happen. This honor has validated the perseverance, effort, and dedication of exploring an innovative and applied idea. Participating in this challenge has allowed us to gain a tremendous and unique experience in technical and collaboration skills. We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for the friends we made along the way!<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Collin Andersen, Team Lead<\/p>\n

University of Utah and Powder Metallurgy Research Laboratory<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"The<\/figure>
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The University of Utah team, partnering with Powder Metallurgy Research Laboratory, earned the Artemis Award, which represents top honors in the 2023 BIG Idea Challenge. <\/div>\n
Credit: National Institute of Aerospace<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Teams could select to address technologies needed along any point in the lunar metal production pipeline, including, but not limited to:\u00a0<\/p>\n