NASA is offering space fans the chance to win a portion of a $10,000 prize fund for answering two questions through art.
On September 12, NASA unveiled its Moon to Mars Architecture Art Challenge - inspiring budding artists to ‘visualize the future of space exploration’.
As per the competition, NASA wants fans to create ‘creative and artistic images’ that will represent the agency’s roadmap for the long-term exploration of the Moon and the planet Mars.
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“With NASA’s Moon to Mars Objectives in hand, the agency is developing an architecture for crewed exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond,” the contest website reads.
“Using systems engineering processes, NASA has begun to perform the analyses and studies needed to make informed decisions about a sustained lunar evolution and initial human missions to Mars.”
The leading space agency wants artists to develop and submit still images relating to ‘Sustained Lunar Evolution Segment' or the 'Humans to Mars Segment'.
These artworks can be related to operations in space, on the surface of the celestial body and the planet, or both.
Sustained Lunar Evolution Segment
NASA writes that the Sustained Lunar Evolution Segment is an ‘open canvas’ for exploration of the Moon and is all about embracing new ideas and systems to grow a ‘long-term presence’ on the celestial body’s surface.
'Sustained lunar evolution means more astronauts on the Moon for longer periods of time, increased opportunities for science, and even the large-scale production of goods and services derived from lunar resources,' writes the space agency.
“It also means increased cooperation and collaboration with international partners and the aerospace industry to build a robust lunar economy.”
The kick-off question to spurn some ideas reads: “What does long-term exploration of the Moon look like?
Humans to Mars Segment
The governmental agency wants budding artists to depict what they believe the first human-led missions to Mars will look like.
NASA writes that the early missions outlined in the roadmap will ‘focus on Martian exploration and establishing the foundation for a sustained Mars presence’.
Right now, architects are allegedly examining transportation options to the Red Planet as well as habitation, power generation and scientific investigations.
The question you need to answer with your art is: “What do the first missions to Mars look like?”
How to submit an entry
If you have an idea for how you can depict Humans to Mars or Sustained Lunar Evolution then NASA is inviting artists to submit an entry via a dedicated form.
You can submit art for both sections as long as you complete the form twice.
Submissions opened on September 12 and are set to close on October 31, 2024 at 5pm ET.
Judging will take place sometime in November and winners will be notified by email by the time December 17 rolls around.
If your engaging artwork is crowned one of the victorious entries, you could win a portion of a staggering $10,000 prize.