NASA says the planned logistics module is an uncrewed cargo spacecraft that will dock autonomously with Gateway during future Artemis missions. Cargo will stay in the module, where crews can access supplies and use the space for trash collection. The design goal is to provide as much usable volume as possible while keeping the storage system's mass low. [S1]
The challenge drew 90 participants from 35 countries, who submitted 3D computer models intended to give astronauts quick access to cargo. Finalists shared a $7,000 prize purse. GrabCAD administered the challenge, while NASA's Tournament Lab managed it. [S1]
First-place designer Kriso Leinfellner of Austria received $3,000 for QASIS, or Quick Access Storage in Space. NASA describes the concept as combining storage capacity, lightweight structures and ease of use without motors, batteries or electronics. Second-place entrant Mustafa Çobanoğlu of Turkey received $2,000 for a lightweight manual concept that considers launch and orbital operations and limited maintenance. [S1]
Other winning approaches offered different ways to reach stored cargo. NASA says Marcelo Crestani of Brazil proposed an electromechanical design with a partitioned internal rack system, while Augustine Uyah of Nigeria proposed modular sliding racks operated by hand. Their entries placed third and fourth, with prizes of $1,000 and $750 respectively. [S1]
Source documents
- NASA Names Winners in Lunar Gateway Packing and Storing Challengehttps://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/prizes-challenges-crowdsourcing-program/center-of-excellence-for-collaborative-innovation-coeci/coeci-news/winners-lunar-gateway-packing-storing-challenge/