Micro-g NExT 2027 - Cable Management Tool

Cable Management Device
Background
The Moon Base is humanity’s first lunar outpost, a place where astronauts will live, work, and explore near the Moon’s South Pole. Through a series of crewed and uncrewed missions, NASA and its partners will build the infrastructure needed to support an enduring human presence on the lunar surface while advancing science, technology, and exploration for the benefit of all. Moon Base architecture consists of a wide variety of surface-based assets. In early missions, the power transfer between assets may be handled by EVA (extravehicular activity) crew. This power transfer could be between a power station and mobile vehicle, or a habitat, or other nearby payloads. To facilitate these efforts, EVA crew will need a tool to manage the cable and assist crew with deployment and stowage of the cable.

Objective
Design a lunar Cable Management Device (CMD) that allows 1st – 99th percentile astronauts to easily deploy the power transfer cable as they traverse the lunar surface. The device should allow astronauts to deploy across a surface with low rock and obstacle dispersion. All actuations must be glove-compatible to allow safe and reliable EVA actuation. The device should have simple, dust tolerant mechanisms allowing crew to set it in regolith when not in use. Astronauts will use the device with limited mobility in a spacesuit, so carefully consider the ergonomics of the device’s operations. The device will be tested in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) for overall tool function and concept of operations. The device may also be tested in additional analog settings such as the Simulant Development Lab, Planetary Test Analog Site (The Rock Yard), etc.

Complete application submission with proposal is due October 27, 2026. Full challenge description including technical requirements and proposal guidelines can be accessed on the Micro-g NExT website https://go.nasa.gov/micrognext. NASA only requires one person to submit a proposal on behalf of an undergraduate team for the challenge. Please review the Proposal Submission Guide and other provided documents, available on the website, for guidance.

**Eligible Applicants:** Student and Educator
**Academic Level:** Undergraduate Freshman, Undergraduate Sophomore, Undergraduate Junior, Undergraduate Senior
**Activity Type:** In-person / Virtual
**Citizenship:** US Citizen and LPR
**Type:** Challenges