Five “Grand Challenges” Launched by FAI
Goals Is to Drive Innovation in Space Exploration
Five Miliarium Ad Astra Grand Challenges to recognize the next major achievements to be made in human space exploration and drive innovation in spaceflight have been announced by FAI, the World Air Sports Federation.
Experts from FAI’s Astronautic Records Commission (ICARE) identified the need to prepare detailed definitions to recognise the next “one small step” moments in spaceflight outside of the existing FAI records structure. Their work has resulted in the launch of the five Miliarium Ad Astra Grand Challenges.
The name Miliarium Ad Astra means “milestones to the stars”. At the dawn of this new era of spaceflight, it is hoped that these Grand Challenges will inspire the astronautics industry to drive innovation and technological advancement, propelling human space exploration towards new horizons and tackling the pressing issue of orbital debris.
FAI Astronautic Records Commission (ICARE) President, Scott Neumann, hailed the project as: “A new way for the FAI to recognize the ‘one small step’ moments in spaceflight.”
The Five Grand Challenges
The following five Miliarium Ad Astra Grand Challenges have been defined within the FAI Sporting Code:
The Spacecraft Reusability Challenge recognizes the first orbital flight of a fully reusable human-rated spacecraft. The ability to reuse orbital class spacecraft is a key enabling capability to allow routine and economical access to space.
The Orbital Refueling Challenge recognizes the first large mass spacecraft-to-spacecraft propellant transfer while in orbit. On orbit refueling is a key enabling technology to extend missions and spacecraft mobility. Orbital refueling may also facilitate new spacecraft designs and mission profiles including transport class spacecraft constructed in orbit, orbital propellant storage and refueling depots and the ability to use in situ fuel produced on other celestial bodies.
The Orbital Debris Mitigation Challenge recognizes the first third party active removal of orbital debris greater than 1000 kg, such as expended rocket bodies, or non-operational satellites which may become a collision hazard for other spacecraft. Although space is vast, the low earth orbit (LEO) region is becoming increasingly crowded. Active removal of orbital debris is a key capability to address this need and protect the space environment and the safety of crewed and uncrewed space operations. This Challenge was inspired by the science fiction novel, The Manx Prize, by Laura Montgomery.
The Lunar South Pole Landing Challenge recognizes the first human landing at and exploration of the lunar south polar region. The lunar south pole region is a compelling location for exploration missions and suitable for lunar outposts. The permanently shadowed craters on the Moon contain water ice and other minerals, which will be vital resources for future explorers.
The Mars Landing Challenge recognizes the first human landing and presence on Mars. Exploring our nearest planetary neighbor has long been a goal of human spaceflight. The first human steps on Mars will demonstrate advancements in space travel on an interplanetary scale and stand as a milestone moment in spaceflight history.
Marking milestones
Using the detailed definitions within the FAI Sporting Code, the Astronautic Records Commission (ICARE) ratifies spaceflight records pertaining to the major milestones in human space exploration. These commence with Yuri Gagarin’s Duration and Altitude in Elliptical Orbit records in 1961 and cover the major astronautics events up to the present day.