A team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has won first prize in Phase 2 of NASA’s LunaRecycle Challenge, receiving US$775,000 for a system designed to recycle mixed waste during future lunar and deep-space missions.

⚙️ The CERBERUZ system takes a different approach to waste processing. Instead of sorting individual materials, it grinds mixed waste into a fine powder and combines it with reinforcement materials such as Zotek foam.

The resulting feedstock can be used to produce injection-moulded components and 3D-printing filament. The system is designed to handle mixed waste streams containing fabrics, plastics, foam and metals.

CERBERUZ won both Phase 2 competition tracks, covering physical recycling prototypes and digital twins of recycling systems.

NASA said Phase 2 attracted almost 200 submissions, with 17 winning teams selected by a panel of 50 judges from five countries and nine US states.

The LunaRecycle Challenge follows its first phase, which attracted more than 1,200 registrations, according to NASA.

The competition is aimed at developing technologies that can reduce waste and recover materials during future lunar and deep-space missions.

Image credit: NASA