NASA has launched the sixth TechLeap Prize challenge, seeking low-cost, scalable methods to measure thermospheric density and drag in low Earth orbit.
Key facts
- •The Orbital Clarity Challenge is the sixth competition in the NASA TechLeap Prize series.
- •The project is a collaboration between NASA's Heliophysics Division, Flight Opportunities program, and Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation.
- •The challenge seeks low-cost, scalable methods to measure thermospheric density, pressure, or drag.
- •NASA plans to advance up to four winning concepts to a flight-ready solution within 12 months.
- •Winning teams will be offered a test flight at no cost.
NASA has introduced the Orbital Clarity Challenge, the sixth installment in its TechLeap Prize series. The initiative is a partnership between the agency's Heliophysics Division, the Flight Opportunities program, and the Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation. The challenge aims to identify affordable, scalable technologies capable of measuring thermospheric density, pressure, or drag in low Earth orbit to better understand space weather effects.
Challenge Objectives and Requirements
The Heliophysics Division is focused on how space weather influences Earth's outer atmosphere. Intense solar activity can heat and expand the atmosphere, leading to increased orbital drag caused by changes in density. NASA is looking for solutions that can be produced in quantity and deployed as hosted payloads on commercial spacecraft.
Structure and Incentives
The challenge will be conducted in three phases, with the goal of moving up to four winning concepts to a flight-ready state within a 12-month period. NASA intends to provide each winning team with a complimentary test flight upon the conclusion of the challenge.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NASA Breaking News.
