Micro-g NExT
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Micro-g Neutral Buoyancy Experiment Design Teams (Micro-g NExT) challenges undergraduate students to design build, and test a tool or device that addresses an authentic, current space exploration challenge. The overall experience includes hands-on engineering design, test operations, and public outreach. Test operations are conducted in the simulated microgravity environment of the NASA Johnson Space Center Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL). Teams will propose design and prototyping of a tool or simulant identified by NASA engineers as necessary in space exploration missions. Professional NBL divers will test the tools and students will direct the divers from the Test Conductor Room of the NBL facility.


Challenge Descriptions

Checkout the details of the current challenges.
Revised 10.12.2018

Eligibility Requirements

See if you're eligible for the Micro-g NExT activity!

Proposal Guidelines

Feel free to reference our guidelines to assist you - Proposal Guidelines Revised 10.12.2017



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FAQ's

Let us help you answer some of the most common questions you may have.
Revised 10.12.2018

Videos

Check out our information videos.



<<< CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE NBL Engineering and Safety Requirements >>>

Micro-g NExT Eligibility

Participant Criteria

  • Each prospective team member must be a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in an accredited U.S. institution of higher learning (junior college, community college, college, university) at the time the proposal is submitted.
  • Team members must be 16 or older before arrival in Houston.
  • All participants MUST be U.S. Citizens.
  • All teams must have a supervising faculty member.
  • All primary team members MUST attend all test week events, including the Orientation and Test Readiness Review.
  • Primary team members may participate with one team only in the same challenge or test week.
  • Teams may enlist the support of students at any grade level, faculty members, professional consultants, etc. However, only primary team members may participate in the test week at JSC.



Phase I

Key Dates

  • August 30, 2018

    Announce Opportunity

  • Sept 5, 2018 at 6pm CT

    Info session #1

    Link to Session

    Sept 20, 2018 at 6pm CT

    Info session #2

    Link to Session

    Oct 1, 2018 at 6pm CT

    Info session #3

    Link to Session

  • Oct 1, 2018

    Letter of Intent Due

    Please email jsc-reducedgravity@nasa.gov with the following information: School name, Potential team lead and member names, Potential faculty advisor name(s), 2019 Challenge chosen

  • Nov 1, 2018

    Proposals Due

  • Dec 6, 2018

    Selection Announcement

  • 2019 Anticipated Test Weeks

    Test Week 1: May 20-25, 2019
    Test Week 2: June 3-8, 2019

Videos

Check out of video library below.



NASA Astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson invites undergraduate students to take part in Micro-g NExT. Micro-g NExT challenges student teams to design, build, and test a tool or device that addresses an authentic, current space exploration challenge.



Get an up-close look at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL), hear from university students participating in NASA's #MicrogNEXT who have built tool prototypes designed for crew members to use in space, and even see NASA divers testing the tool prototypes in the pool!



Sharp Edge Detection and Removal/Covering



EVA Camera Attachment Mechanism



Mini-Arm End-Effector



Mini-Arm, Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

Archive - Coming Soon



2015 Micro-g NExT Summary

2016 Micro-g NExT Summary

2017 Micro-g NExT Summary

Contact Us

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Micro-g NExT

Katie Livingood
Micro-g NExT Coordinator
(281) 244-1908
jsc-reducedgravity@nasa.gov

Trinesha Dixon
Micro-g NExT Activity Manager
jsc-reducedgravity@nasa.gov

Regan Monhollon
Micro-g NExT Intern
(281) 792-2105
jsc-reducedgravity@nasa.gov

NASA SUITS

Brandon M. Hargis
NASA SUITS Activity Manager
(281) 483-6708
Email questions and Letters of Intent
NASA-SUITS@mail.nasa.gov

Crystal Del Rosso
Education Coordinator
(281) 792-7848
Email questions and Letters of Intent
NASA-SUITS@mail.nasa.gov

MUREP Innovation and Tech Transfer Idea Competition (MITTIC)

Crystal Del Rosso
Education Coordinator
(281) 792-7848
Email questions
HQ-MITTIC@mail.nasa.gov