Executive Summary
NASA's Lunar Grounding Challenge seeks concepts to safely discharge the negative charge astronauts build up in shadowed regions of the lunar South Pole. Phase 1 is a concept design, with no prototype required. Up to $150,000 in total prizes. Submissions close January 15, 2027.
The deciding factor is a clear, testable concept. Phase 1 asks only for a concept design submission. Up to five finalists advance to Phase 2 to refine their concepts.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Agency: NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate, Prizes, Challenges and Crowdsourcing program (Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation)
- Opportunity: Lunar Grounding Challenge
- Type: Prize challenge in two phases
- Funding: Up to $150,000 in total prizes; the split is not posted
- Entry: Free to enter, through the challenge platform linked from NASA's page
- Due Date: Submissions close January 15, 2027 (no time zone posted)
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the January 15, 2027 deadline.
What Is the Lunar Grounding Challenge?
The Lunar Grounding Challenge is a NASA prize competition for concepts that bring astronauts to electrical equilibrium with their surroundings before they touch the lander, so charge built up in the shadowed regions of the lunar South Pole does not arc.
What Problem Is NASA Trying to Solve?
Astronauts working in shadowed regions near the lunar South Pole can build up a high negative charge. If that charge discharges suddenly when they touch the lander, it can cause an arc. NASA wants safe, practical ways to bring astronauts to electrical equilibrium first.
Phases
- Phase 1, concept design submission: a written concept; no fabrication or physical prototype testing is required
- Phase 2, concept refinement: up to five Phase 1 finalists refine their concepts
Eligibility
The challenge pages NASA and the platform have posted do not list eligibility rules. Read the official challenge rules before you start, and confirm whether companies, teams and non-U.S. participants can win prizes.
How to Apply
- Read the rules: open the official rules from NASA's Lunar Grounding Challenge page
- Register: sign up on the challenge platform; entry is free
- Write the concept: describe your design and how it would operate on the lunar surface
- Submit: before submissions close on January 15, 2027
What Happens After You Submit?
- Judging: NASA judges review Phase 1 concept submissions
- Finalists: up to five finalists advance to Phase 2
- Prizes: awarded from the total pool of up to $150,000
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
It fits teams with expertise in spacecraft charging, plasma physics, electrostatic discharge control, spacesuit systems or conductive materials. It is a weak fit for teams that need meaningful funding, since the total prize pool is small.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For NASA prize challenges like Lunar Grounding, we help you:
- Check fit: match your expertise to the problem
- Shape the concept: write a clear, testable design
- Check the rules: confirm eligibility and IP terms
- Use the result: turn a strong showing into NASA SBIR or partnership conversations
- Plan the next step: map follow-on NASA funding paths
Plan Your Lunar Grounding Submission
Frequently Asked Questions
Who runs the Lunar Grounding Challenge?
NASA, through its Prizes, Challenges and Crowdsourcing program.
How much prize money is there?
Up to $150,000 in total. NASA has not posted how it is split.
When is it due?
Submissions close January 15, 2027.
Do I need to build a prototype?
No. Phase 1 is a concept design, and no fabrication or physical prototype testing is required.
How many teams advance?
Up to five finalists advance to Phase 2.
Who can enter?
The challenge pages do not list eligibility rules. Check the official rules.
Does it cost anything to enter?
The challenge platform lists it as free to enter.
What expertise fits?
Spacecraft charging, plasma physics, electrostatic discharge control, spacesuit systems and conductive materials.
Can BW&CO help with a Lunar Grounding submission?
Yes. BW&CO can help you shape the concept and plan follow-on NASA funding. Book a call with our team.
Source: NASA: Lunar Grounding Challenge