The Lunar Trash Problem

The Lunar Trash Problem

Did you know there are 96 bags of human waste on the Moon? Left by Apollo astronauts, these bags contain poop, urine, and vomit. With NASA’s Artemis missions planning lunar bases, recycling this waste is critical. Enter the LunaRecycle Challenge: a $3M prize to turn space poop into water, energy, and fertilizer!

One of the first photos taken on the Moon in 1969 wasn’t just footprints—it was a trash bag. To save weight, Apollo crews dumped waste, creating a biological time capsule now frozen in lunar dust. But future missions can’t repeat this. Sustainability is key.

Why Recycle Poop in Space?

– No Resupply: Long Moon/Mars missions can’t wait for Earth deliveries. – Resource Scarcity: Waste could = water, oxygen, or rocket fuel. – Safety: Rotting waste risks pathogens and lunar contamination. NASA says: “Little or no waste should return to Earth.”

NASA wants breakthrough tech to: ✅ Convert poop into water, energy, or fertilizer. ✅ Operate in extreme cold, radiation, and low gravity. ✅ Fit inside cramped lunar landers. Phase 1 proposals are in—winners get funding to build prototypes!

From Poop to Plants

– Grow food sustainably. – Slash reliance on Earth shipments. – Create a closed-loop ecosystem for Mars missions.