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University of Utah takes top honors in BIG Idea Lunar Forge Challenge

Seven finalist teams from universities across the country competed in NASA’s 2023 BIG Idea Lunar Forge Challenge Nov. 15-17 in Cleveland, OH, where they presented their innovative concepts for developing a metal production pipeline on the Moon.

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NEW NASA eClips Our World Video: “The Stories Moon Rocks Tell”

More than 50 years ago the Apollo missions brought moon rocks, core samples, pebbles, sand, and dust back to Earth. While scientists have been studying these lunar samples for years, researchers at the Astromaterials Acquisition and Curation Office are using new instruments and modern technology to study and analyze six preserved core samples. Astromaterials 3D, an interactive virtual library, also gives everyone the chance to virtually manipulate and look inside of 3D rocks samples.

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Announcing the 2024 BIG Idea Challenge! Inflatable Systems for Lunar Operations

Getting large structures on the lunar or Martian surface is no easy task, that’s why NASA’s 2024 BIG Idea Challenge is asking U.S. university and college students to design, develop and demonstrate novel uses of low Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) inflatable technologies, structures and systems for lunar operations. Proposals are due Feb. 1.

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Commander Callie Continues Moon Mission in NASA’s New Graphic Novel

“First Woman: Expanding Our Universe,” the next installment of the First Woman graphic novel series, is now available digitally. Follow fictional astronaut Callie Rodriguez, the first woman to walk on the Moon, as she and her crewmates as they work together to explore the unknown, make scientific discoveries, and accomplish mission objectives.

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Dr. Pedro Paredes Selected to be a Member of the Class of 2024 AIAA Associate Fellows

Dr. Pedro Paredes, a Senior Research Engineer at the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA), has been selected to be a member of the Class of 2024 AIAA Associate Fellows. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society with nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries and 100 corporate members.

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Announcing the 2024 RASC-AL Competition is Now Open for Proposals

The 2024 RASC-AL Competition is seeking new concepts that leverage innovation to improve our ability to operate on the Moon, Mars and beyond. Collegiate-level teams and their faculty advisors are invited to propose innovative solutions in response to one of the following four themes: Long Duration Mars Simulation at the Moon, Sustained Lunar Evolution, AI-Powered Self-Replicating Probes – an Evolutionary Approach, and Large-Scale Lunar Crater Prospector.

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Open for Proposals: Advancing Aviation for Natural Disasters (2024 Blue Skies)

The 2024 Gateways to Blue Skies Competition is seeking proposals for aviation-related systems that can aid in natural disaster management. Up to eight finalist university teams will receive $8,000 to continue their research and present at the Gateways to Blue Skies Forum in May 2024 at NASA’s Ames Research Center. Forum winners will receive an opportunity to intern with NASA Aeronautics in the academic year following the event.

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Georgia Institute of Technology Team Named Overall Winner of 2023 FAA Data Challenge

The Federal Aviation Administation (FAA) has announced the winning teams of the 2023 FAA Data Challenge. The challenge focused on the use of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) and advanced analytics to explore aviation-related problems and opportunities. The finalist university teams competed in a two-day forum on June 21-22 in McLean, Virginia.

NIA 2022 Annual Report

In our 2022 Annual Report, you’ll find select examples of how NIA collaborates with NASA, other government agencies and laboratories, universities, and industry to conduct leading-edge research and technology development in aeronautics, atmospheric science and space exploration. The report also highlights our broad, multi-university graduate education program as well as our award-winning educational and public outreach initiatives.

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NASA Announces Human Lander Challenge (HuLC)

U.S. college and university students are invited to unleash their creativity to tackle the challenge of managing lunar dust during moon landings. The Human Lander Challenge (HuLC) aims to address hazards posed by dust clouds and pave the way for safe, sustainable exploration. Up to 12 teams will compete in the 2024 HuLC Forum in Huntsville, Alabama with the top three winners sharing an $18,000 prize purse.

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NIA MEDIA PRODUCTION SPOTLIGHT

NASA Sparks Commercial Delivery Service to the Moon

As NASA prepares to send humans back to the Moon, we will send science and technology instruments ahead of time to lay the foundation for a sustainable human presence. Through NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services, or CLPS initiative, we are enabling American companies to send our science experiments and technologies to the lunar surface for us. This unique commercial delivery service is poised to change the way we work and perform science at the Moon, greatly expanding our capabilities for exploration.

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The NonProfit Times has ranked the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA) as the Best NonProfit to Work For in the Nation among mid- and large-sized companies.

THE NONPROFIT TIMES MAGAZINE HAS RANKED THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AEROSPACE #1 “BEST PLACE TO WORK” IN THE U.S. AMONG MID- AND LARGE-SIZED ORGANIZATIONS.

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