Canadian Space Agency Aqualunar Challenge

Interested applicants should contact Walter Chan, Intellectual Property Officer, no later than April 1 to discuss their concept and confirm eligibility with the program requirements.

Objectives:

The Canadian Space Agency recently launched the Aqualunar Challenge in collaboration with Impact Canada, the United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA) and Challenge Works. The Aqualunar Challenge is a challenge prize with a goal of creating innovative water purification technologies that could support more ambitious space missions. With humankind returning to the Moon later this decade, purifying the water-ice that exists in lunar regolith is critical to supporting a longer term presence on the lunar surface. Using lunar water - as drinking water, to grow food, to create oxygen and to split into hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel - is a key enabler for supporting future deep space exploration.

The Aqualunar Challenge is calling on innovators to create innovative technologies, for use on the Moon, to remove contaminants found in lunar water. The Challenge will contain 3 Stages:

Stage 1 – Concept Design: Applications are open until April 8, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Teams will provide a detailed explanation of how their solution meets the Challenge objectives, Mission Scenario and judging criteria.

Stage 2 – Proof of Concept: Beginning in June 2024, semi-finalists selected in Stage 1 will move on to Tage 2 of the Challenge, where they will begin developing the key components of their prototypes based on their concept design (equivalent to a TRL 3). Semi-finalists will be expected to submit video footage to demonstrate their system or components of their system and will provide a final report that outlines how their technology meets the judging criteria listed.

Stage 3 – Prototype Scaling: At this stage, selected finalists will have 10 months to integrate the components of their prototype (minimum TRL 6). Finalists will demonstrate their systems and have their outputs tested and will be competing to be the Grand Prize Winner of the Challenge.

Value:

Stage	Stage Duration	Number of winners per stage	Prize amount per winner
Stage 1	4 months	Up to 8 semi-finalists	$22,500 per semi-finalist
Stage 2	10 months	Up to 4 finalists	$105,000 per finalist
Stage 3	10 months	1 grand prize winner	$400,000
Throughout the Challenge, there will also be non-financial support to help teams rapidly develop their solutions.

Intellectual Property Requirements:

By applying, in addition to the consents and authorizations contained in the Application Form, Applicants:

Agree and certify that, the Applicant owns the intellectual property rights or is authorized to use them in connection with its technology and the content presented in the application; and
Agree that CSA may, at any time, require the Applicant, Recipient, its shareholders or members, as applicable, to provide it with any original document or additional information for the purpose of verifying the application or other information submitted or representation made in the course of the Challenge.

Costs and Expensive:

Applicants are fully responsible for all, and any expenses incurred in connection with their participation in the Challenge, including, but not limited to, any expenses related to the submission of their application, for the elaboration or testing of technologies, supplies and materials, such as for prototyping, intellectual property, transportation of people or material, and any insurance.

Similarly, Applicants will remain fully responsible for all expenses incurred and resources expended in connection with preparing their proposals, attending and participating in the testing for Stages 2 and 3, if applicable.

Timeline:

Stage 1: Concept design due April 8, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Up to 8 semi-finalists announced summer 2024.

Stage 2: Begins June 2024. Final reports and virtual demonstration videos due January 2025. Up to 4 finalists announced in Spring 2025.

Stage 3: Begins Spring 2025. Applications due January 2026.

Grand Prize Winner announced in Spring 2026.

How to apply:

For more program information visit the Aqualunar Challenge website

For application instructions visit the Challenge Applicant Guide

Only Canadian applications, submitted through the Impact Canada website via the designated Challenge Application Form, will be accepted. Applications must be submitted through the online form no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on April 8th, 2024.

Important Requirements:

Your application form should specify Jennifer Freeman, Executive Director, Office of Research Services as the Duly Authorized Representative.

You must export a PDF of your completed application and submit it to ORS along with a Research Grant Authorization Form.

Questions:

Walter Chan, Intellectual Property Officer