{"id":550105,"date":"2023-10-17T12:15:40","date_gmt":"2023-10-17T16:15:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=550105"},"modified":"2024-05-13T15:22:33","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T19:22:33","slug":"student-innovators-invited-to-develop-big-ideas-for-lunar-inflatables","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/student-innovators-invited-to-develop-big-ideas-for-lunar-inflatables\/","title":{"rendered":"Student innovators invited to develop BIG ideas for lunar inflatables"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NASA's BIG Idea Challenge\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jN7l2zOz8eM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With its \u201cInflatable Systems for Lunar Operations\u201d theme, NASA\u2019s 2024 Breakthrough, Innovative, and Game-Changing (BIG) Idea Challenge invites student innovators to build and demonstrate how their concepts can benefit future missions to the Moon and beyond. Inflatable systems could greatly reduce the mass and stowed volume of science and exploration payloads, which is critical for lowering delivery costs to deep space destinations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the first step in the next era of human space exploration, NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/artemis\/\">Artemis<\/a> program brings together commercial, international, and academic partners to explore the Moon for the benefit of all. A key task under Artemis is maturing technologies needed for future crewed missions to Mars. Because of volume limitations, large structures cannot be placed directly on the lunar or Martian surface without complex deployment mechanisms or on-site assembly, which will be very limited in early missions. Large inflatable systems are tightly packaged to take up less payload space, and once placed on the lunar surface, they inflate to many times their stowed size. Using advanced fabrics for structural strength and environmental protection, coupled with internal pressure stiffening, inflatable systems can offer robust habitats in harsh and demanding environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many lunar exploration studies have used inflatable structures for habitats. That is why the 2024 BIG Idea Challenge asks collegiate-level teams to go beyond habitats to consider and explore other innovative concepts incorporating inflatable components such as deployable towers, gantries, and antennas. Applications may also include soft robotics, actuators, connectors, deployment mechanisms, airlocks, and temporary shields or shelters, among many others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis challenge is particularly exciting because it applies out-of-the-box thinking to the design and engineering processes that will be required to incorporate inflatable components into space missions. Harnessing the impressive creativity demonstrated by this collegiate cohort could present truly novel solutions for future space exploration\u201d, said Niki Werkheiser, Director of Technology Maturation with NASA\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The challenge anticipates selecting up to eight teams with awards ranging between $50,000 and $150,000. Demonstrations will include measurable performance parameters verified in analog test environments to show concept credibility. Creative testing methods that produce accurate and realistic concept verification aim to increase technology readiness levels and allow NASA engineers to incorporate high-performing concepts into near-term lunar missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finalists are selected by a panel of NASA and industry experts based on a proposal and video package that includes a specific, compelling mission scenario\/use case where an inflatable system would be applicable and advantageous. The proposal package is due February 1, 2024, and non-binding notices of intent (NOI) can be submitted on a rolling basis until that deadline. Teams who submit an NOI will receive competition updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA invites proposals from teams of students and faculty at U.S.-based colleges and universities officially affiliated with their state\u2019s Space Grant Consortium. Non-Space Grant-affiliated colleges and universities may partner with a Space Grant-affiliated institution. The agency recognizes the benefits of having diverse and inclusive scientific, engineering, and technology communities and expects the reflection of such values in the BIG Idea Challenge. As such, multi-university and interdisciplinary teams are encouraged. Minority Serving Institutions are also highly encouraged to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen it comes to mission-critical technology for upcoming space exploration efforts, academia is an important partner,\u201d said Tomas Gonzalez-Torres, space grant project manager for NASA\u2019s Office of STEM Engagement. \u201cCollegiate-level teams push the envelope in terms of creativity but also in demonstrating technology readiness for innovative ideas. These ideas can be infused into technology development at micro and macro scales.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate sponsors the BIG Idea Challenge through a unique collaboration between its Game Changing Development program and the agency\u2019s Office of STEM Engagement. It is managed by a partnership between the National Institute of Aerospace and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For full competition details, including design guidelines and constraints, relevant resources, and information on how to apply, visit the BIG Idea website at: <a href=\"http:\/\/bigidea.nianet.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bigidea.nianet.org<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gcd-bigidea-inflatablesgraphic-final.png\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gcd-bigidea-inflatablesgraphic-final.png?w=1920\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Artist depiction of inflatable structures on the surface of the Moon including an inflatable manufacturing press, dust shield, garage, storage tanks, mobility vehicles, and a solar array.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gcd-bigidea-inflatablesgraphic-final.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gcd-bigidea-inflatablesgraphic-final.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gcd-bigidea-inflatablesgraphic-final.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gcd-bigidea-inflatablesgraphic-final.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gcd-bigidea-inflatablesgraphic-final.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gcd-bigidea-inflatablesgraphic-final.png?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gcd-bigidea-inflatablesgraphic-final.png?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gcd-bigidea-inflatablesgraphic-final.png?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gcd-bigidea-inflatablesgraphic-final.png?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Artist\u2019s Conceptual Image of Inflatable Applications on the Lunar Surface<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">AMA Advanced Concepts Lab<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">M<strong>ore information:<\/strong> <br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/spacetech\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"www.nasa.gov\/spacetech\">NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/national-space-grant-college-and-fellowship-project\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/national-space-grant-college-and-fellowship-project\">NASA\u2019s National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.jhuapl.edu\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"www.jhuapl.edu\" rel=\"noopener\">The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nianet.org\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"www.nianet.org\" rel=\"noopener\">The National Institute of Aerospace<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics From NASA<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/space-technology-mission-directorate\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Space Technology Mission Directorate<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?w=525\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?resize=197,300 197w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?resize=263,400 263w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?resize=394,600 394w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/stmd-game-changing-development\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Game Changing Development<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/lsii-isru-primedrill-v1.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/lsii-isru-primedrill-v1.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/lsii-isru-primedrill-v1.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/lsii-isru-primedrill-v1.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/lsii-isru-primedrill-v1.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/lsii-isru-primedrill-v1.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/lsii-isru-primedrill-v1.png?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/lsii-isru-primedrill-v1.png?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/lsii-isru-primedrill-v1.png?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/lsii-isru-primedrill-v1.png?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/space-technology-mission-directorate\/lunar-surface-innovation-initiative\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>NASA’s Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/surface-power.png?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Learning Resources<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"988\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/edu_partnerships_students_robotic_arm_0-edit.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/edu_partnerships_students_robotic_arm_0-edit.jpg 2051w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/edu_partnerships_students_robotic_arm_0-edit.jpg?resize=300,193 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/edu_partnerships_students_robotic_arm_0-edit.jpg?resize=768,494 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/edu_partnerships_students_robotic_arm_0-edit.jpg?resize=1024,659 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/edu_partnerships_students_robotic_arm_0-edit.jpg?resize=1536,988 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/edu_partnerships_students_robotic_arm_0-edit.jpg?resize=2048,1317 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/edu_partnerships_students_robotic_arm_0-edit.jpg?resize=400,257 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/edu_partnerships_students_robotic_arm_0-edit.jpg?resize=600,386 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/edu_partnerships_students_robotic_arm_0-edit.jpg?resize=900,579 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/edu_partnerships_students_robotic_arm_0-edit.jpg?resize=1200,772 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/edu_partnerships_students_robotic_arm_0-edit.jpg?resize=2000,1286 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With its \u201cInflatable Systems for Lunar Operations\u201d theme, NASA\u2019s 2024 Breakthrough, Innovative, and Game-Changing (BIG) Idea Challenge invites student innovators to build and demonstrate how their concepts can benefit future missions to the Moon and beyond. Inflatable systems could greatly reduce the mass and stowed volume of science and exploration payloads, which is critical for 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