Selection of Winners
Following an extensive review period, NASA announced the most promising student‑led solutions for environmental control and life‑support systems (ECLSS) submitted to the 2026 Human Lander Challenge. The awarded projects demonstrate innovative approaches that will support the Artemis program’s goal of returning American astronauts to the Moon.
Focus of Submissions
Participating teams concentrated on three critical areas: efficient carbon‑dioxide removal, water reclamation, and thermal regulation in the harsh lunar environment. Judges evaluated technical feasibility, mass and power efficiency, and scalability for future missions.
Awarded Teams
- University of Colorado – Boulder: A modular CO₂ scrubber using metal‑organic frameworks (MOFs).
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): An electro‑chemical distillation system that recovers up to 99 % of wastewater.
- University of Texas at Austin: A thermal‑management module employing phase‑change materials to mitigate temperature swings.
Relevance to Artemis
The selected technologies are slated for integration into prototypes for the Lunar Gateway and Artemis landers in the coming years. By leveraging academic research, NASA aims to accelerate innovation while training the next generation of aerospace engineers.
Future Steps
Winners will receive funding and access to NASA testing facilities to further mature their concepts. Successful systems are expected to be incorporated into future crewed lunar missions, enhancing crew safety and mission sustainability.