Via the NASA Revolutionary Superior Ideas (NIAC) program, NASA nurtures visionary but credible ideas that would at some point “change the doable” in aerospace, whereas participating America’s innovators and entrepreneurs as companions within the journey.
These ideas span numerous disciplines and purpose to advance capabilities akin to discovering assets on distant planets, making area journey safer and extra environment friendly, and even offering advantages to life right here on Earth. The NIAC portfolio of research additionally consists of a number of options and applied sciences that would assist NASA obtain a future human presence on Mars. One idea at a time, NIAC is taking know-how ideas from science fiction to actuality.
Astronauts have a restricted provide of water and oxygen in area, which makes producing and sustaining these assets extraordinarily useful. One NIAC research investigates a system to separate oxygen and hydrogen gasoline bubbles in microgravity from water, with out touching the water straight. Researchers discovered the idea can deal with energy modifications, requires much less clear water, works in a variety of temperatures, and is extra immune to micro organism than present oxygen era techniques for short-term crewed missions. These new developments may make it an excellent match for a protracted journey to Mars.
Newly chosen for an additional part of research, the crew desires to grasp how the system will carry out over lengthy intervals in area and contemplate methods to simplify the system’s construct. They plan to check a big model of the system in microgravity in hopes of proving the way it could also be a recreation changer for future missions.
Not like water on Earth, Mars’ water is contaminated with poisonous chemical compounds akin to perchlorates and chlorates. These contaminants threaten human well being even at tiny concentrations and may simply corrode {hardware} and gear. Discovering a technique to take away contaminates from water will profit future human explorers and put together them to stay on Mars long run.
Researchers are making a regenerative perchlorate discount system that makes use of perchlorate discount pathways from naturally occurring micro organism. Perchlorate is a compound comprised of oxygen and chlorine that’s sometimes used for rocket propellant. These perchlorate discount pathways will be engineered into a sort of bacterium that’s identified for its outstanding resilience, even within the harsh situations of area. The system would use these enzymes to trigger the biochemical discount of chlorate and perchlorate to chloride and oxygen, eliminating these poisonous molecules from the water. With the know-how to detoxify water on Mars, people may thrive on the Purple Planet with an considerable water provide.
Tackling deep space radiation exposure
Mitochondria are the small buildings inside cells typically referred to as the “powerhouse,” however what if they may additionally energy human well being in area? Persistent radiation publicity is among the many many threats to long-term human stays in area, together with time spent touring to and from Mars. One NIAC research explores transplanting new, undamaged mitochondria to radiation-damaged cells and investigates cell responses to related radiation ranges to simulate deep-space journey. Researchers suggest utilizing in vitro human cell fashions – advanced 3D buildings grown in a lab to imitate elements of organs – to display how focused mitochondria alternative remedy may regenerate mobile perform after acute and long-term radiation publicity.
Whereas nonetheless in early levels, the analysis may assist considerably scale back radiation dangers for crewed missions to Mars and past. Right here on Earth, the know-how may additionally assist deal with all kinds of age-related degenerative illnesses related to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Suiting up for Mars
Mars isn’t any “stroll within the park,” which is why specialised spacesuits are important for future missions. Engineers suggest utilizing a digital template to generate customized, cost-effective, high-performance spacesuits. This spacesuit idea makes use of one thing referred to as digital thread know-how to guard crewmembers from the intense Martian surroundings, whereas offering the mobility to carry out day by day Mars exploration endeavors, together with scientific excursions.
This now completed NIAC study centered on mapping key spacesuit parts and present manufacturing applied sciences to digital parts, figuring out know-how gaps, benchmarking required capabilities, and growing a conceptional digital thread mannequin for future spacesuit growth and operational assist. This analysis may assist astronauts swimsuit up for Mars and past in a means like by no means earlier than.
Redefining what’s doable
From finding out Mars to researching black holes and monitoring the atmosphere of Venus, NIAC ideas assist us push the boundaries of exploration. By collaborating with innovators and entrepreneurs, NASA advances ideas for future and present missions whereas energizing the area economic system.
You probably have a visionary thought to share, you’ll be able to apply to NIAC’s 2026 Phase I solicitation now till July 15.