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NASA opens lunar power and resource technology solicitation

By SpaceEnergy 09 September 2026 1 min read
NASA opens lunar power and resource technology solicitation
Credit: NASA

(SpaceEnergy) NASA is seeking proposals for lunar power, radioisotope generation and oxygen extraction technologies supporting its planned Moon Base.

The Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-3 (NextSTEP-3) Lunar Enabling Infrastructure Accelerator solicitation targets five technology areas intended to close capability gaps for sustained operations around the lunar South Pole.

NASA is seeking vertical solar-array technologies covering power generation, management, distribution and energy storage, alongside radioisotope Stirling generators designed to convert heat from radioactive material into electricity in environments where solar power is limited.

A third SpaceEnergy-relevant workstream covers in-situ resource utilisation systems capable of extracting usable oxygen molecularly bound within lunar regolith. The solicitation also covers in-space advanced manufacturing and nanomaterials production.

“NASA is accelerating the development of key technologies and closing critical gaps needed for long-term human exploration at the Moon,” said Greg Stover, director of NASA’s Advanced Research and Technology Division.

NASA said private companies, academic institutions and not-for-profit organisations may compete, while international partners can participate through US-led teams. Data and demonstration results from resulting contracts may inform later acquisition strategies.

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