Aqualunar Challenge: Purifying water on the moon

Apply by 8 April 2024!

In a step towards sustainable space exploration, we’ve jointly launched the Aqualunar Challenge with the UK Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency and Impact Canada. With a combined prize pot of £1.2 million, the Challenge seeks to spur the development of groundbreaking technologies for purifying water buried beneath the Moon’s surface. 

With humankind returning to the Moon later this decade, purifying the water that exists on the Moon in ice and using it as drinking water – to grow food, to create oxygen and for rocket fuel –will be a key enabler for supporting future deep space exploration. 

There are two Aqualunar Challenge tracks running concurrently – one based in the UK and the other in Canada – underscoring a united effort to drive innovation in space tech. 

We invite innovators, start-ups, scientists, academics, engineers and problem solvers to pioneer these advancements, which will help enable human habitation on the Moon and drive advanced technological applications for water purification on Earth. Teams can be from anywhere, but must have a lead partner based in the country of application (UK or Canada). 

Innovators can enter the challenge any time between now and on 8 April 2024. 

Eligibility and applicant info for applying to the UK track

THE UK TRACK

Unlike the Canadian track, the UK track of the Challenge is made up of two stages: Concept and Design and Proof of Concept. 

In June 2024, ten teams will be selected in the finalist phase by our expert judging panel, receiving £30,000 each and will continue to compete for the grand prize.

During the Challenge, in addition to the financial support, finalists will have access to tailored non-financial support to help develop their technologies, including technical, commercialisation and business skills support. There will also be opportunities to work collaboratively with the Canadian track teams.

In March 2025, three UK track teams will share the grand prize – a first place winner (£150,000), second place runner up (£100,000) and third place runner up (£50,000).

“The Aqualunar Challenge is rewarding the development of technologies that will help make this a reality by purifying the ice that is locked inside the Moon’s soil. While the challenge is focused on developing these technologies for the harsh environment of the Moon, they could also have important uses here on Earth.” – Paul Bate, CEO, UK Space Agency

Canadian applicants must apply to the Canadian track of the Challenge hosted by the CSA and Impact Canada.