Micro-g NExT 2027 - Lunar Adjustable Multipurpose Stand

Lunar Adjustable Multipurpose Stand

Background
Starting with Artemis IV, NASA astronauts at the Moon’s South Pole will face challenging visibility due to harsh lighting and long shadows. To address this, strategically positioned lighting systems are needed to illuminate work areas and paths, especially in permanently shadowed regions. Innovative lighting stands that can be deployed up to 20-feet in height will help direct light into shadows and high-contrast zones, improving crew visibility and safety. The stand must collapse for stowage and fit into a payload slot. Additionally, it should support cameras or communication arrays by providing multiple interfaces for expanded functionality.

Objective
Design and build a Lunar Adjustable Multipurpose Stand that extends above crew height to minimize shadows, supports crew operations, and meets mass and stowage constraints. The stand can also hold cameras, communication arrays, and other EVA or Moon Base equipment. The stand should allow astronauts to deploy across a rocky or smooth surface as well as on a slope not to exceed 25 degrees. All actuations must be glove-compatible to allow reliable, safe EVA actuation. The stand 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 tool will be tested in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) for concept of operations and overall operations including the unstow, deployment, repositioning, and stowage on lunar surface terrain. Additional consideration may be given to a light enclosure mount as well as pan and tilt functions. 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