Join NASA’s mission to bring us to the Moon, Mars and beyond by submitting a research paper on one of the four ESMD topics listed below. Your research may be used as the solution to current NASA challenges. Open to students who are United States citizens in an undergraduate or graduate studies program.

1. Spacecraft Landing and Recovery Architecture: Historical Approaches and Ideas for the Future
2. Synergistic degradation effects of materials exposed to radiation, micrometeors, thermal sinks and lunar dust
3. Loading of Cryogenic Propellant in Space Launch Vehicle
4. Determination of the Optimum Internal Cockpit Layout

Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) was developed by NASA specifically to create a constellation of new capabilities, supporting technologies and foundational research that enables sustained and affordable human and robotic exploration.

Project owners + coordinators:
Diane Ingraham
Gloria Murphy