As an astronaut traverses the lunar South Pole, tribocharging from walking on the lunar surface and plasma charging from the ambient plasma generate electric charge on the spacesuit. This problem is severely compounded when entering lunar shadows and Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs). In these dark zones, the spacesuit can buildup a substantial negative potential due to a lack of ambient ion flux and the absence of photoelectron emission to balance ambient electron collection.

The risk occurs when an astronaut returns to the spacecraft. Because the lunar surface lacks a natural environmental mechanism to bleed the charge accumulated on spacesuit away, the astronaut may become a walking, high voltage capacitor.

In the sunlit region, the stationary lander will hold slightly positive electrical potential. When a highly negatively-charged astronaut approaches the vehicle, the extreme voltage differential can trigger electrostatic discharge (an instantaneous electrical arc, or a spark) during physical contact. A rapid discharge from the astronaut to the lander risks degrading vital suit layers, damaging sensitive suit electronics, threatening the oxygen-rich environment inside the suit, and delivering dangerous electrical shocks to the crew.

Through the Lunar Grounding Challenge, NASA is seeking innovative designs and operational solutions to bring a lunar equilibrium capability to safely discharge a suited astronaut from high triboelectric charge buildup during lunar surface EVAs in the South Pole. This challenge seeks innovative concepts for an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) mitigation solution to neutralize the astronaut in a safe and timely manner under this extreme charge differential before astronauts directly interact with the lander.

Award: Up to $150,000 in prizes

Challenge Open Date: October 5, 2026

Submissions Close Date: January 15, 2027

For more information, visit: https://work.crowdplat.com/challenge/lunar-grounding-challenge

NASA is seeking leaders for one of the most esteemed positions on Earth for human spaceflight: flight director in mission control at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. This role is critical to advancing American leadership in space exploration, as NASA paves the way for a sustained human presence on the Moon.

Applications for new flight directors are open now through Monday, Oct. 12. U.S. citizens can apply at:

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/886788000

Those chosen as NASA flight directors will lead human spaceflight missions to the International Space Station, Artemis missions to the Moon, and, eventually, the first human missions to Mars.

Flight directors lead teams of flight controllers, astronauts, and commercial and international partners in real-time mission execution and risk management. In preparation for a mission, flight directors collaborate with engineering, safety, and program partners to ensure operational plans align with spacecraft capabilities and mission objectives.

“We are working in an exciting, pivotal time as we continue supporting operations to the International Space Station while building the next phase of human spaceflight with Artemis and Moon Base missions, preparing to go farther than ever before,” said Emily Nelson, chief flight director at Johnson. “Accomplishing these ambitious goals requires flight directors who are expert integrators, bringing together a broad range of teams and disciplines into a clear, unified mission effort. This integral role exemplifies the best of innovation and teamwork.”

To be considered, flight director candidates must be U.S. citizens with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics. They also will need substantial related, progressively responsible professional experience, including time-critical decision-making experience in high-stress, high-risk environments. Although many NASA flight directors have previously been flight controllers working in mission control, it is not a prerequisite to apply.

NASA plans to announce selections by the end of the year. The new flight directors will receive extensive training in flight control and spacecraft systems, as well as operational leadership and risk management.

Learn more about NASA flight directors and the application process at:

go.nasa.gov/BeAFlightDirector

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Rachel Kraft
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
rachel.h.kraft@nasa.gov

Anna Schneider / Mary Pfister
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
anna.c.schneider@nasa.gov / mary.m.pfister@nasa.gov

Editor’s Note: This advisory was updated on Sept. 30, 2026, to reflect additional NASA activities.

NASA will participate in the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Antalya, Türkiye, from Monday, Oct. 5, to Friday, Oct. 9, highlighting America’s leadership in human exploration to the Moon and Mars, advancing responsible exploration under the Artemis Accords, world-changing science, and support for the commercial space sector. 

The IAC, organized by the International Astronautical Federation, is hosted this year by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA). 

The NASA delegation, led by NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson, will take part in plenary sessions, technical discussions, and media engagements throughout the week. 

Monday, Oct. 5  

• 3 a.m. EDT (10 a.m. TRT): “One-to-One with Heads of Space Agencies” featuring Anderson  
• 9:30 a.m. EDT (4:30 p.m. TRT): “Transforming the Speed of Science with a New Model for Earth Observation Cooperation: International and Commercial Fleets with More Rapid Mission Development” with keynote speaker Karen St. Germain, division director, Earth Science Division, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate
• 9:30 a.m. EDT (4:30 p.m. TRT): “Leveraging SmallSats for an Architecturally Diverse Heliophysics Fleet” with Joe Westlake, heliophysics division director, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate
• 10:15 a.m. EDT (5:15 p.m. TRT): “NASA’s Artemis II Test Flight: Lessons Learned” with Jeremy Parsons, Artemis program manager, NASA’s Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate 
• 10:45 a.m. EDT (5:54 p.m. TRT): “Addressing the Environmental Challenges and Infrastructure Needs of the Lunar South Pole” with Carlos García-Galán, program manager for the Moon Base, NASA’s Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate 
• 11:06 a.m. EDT (6:06 p.m. TRT): “NASA’S Human Landing System: Demonstrating the Capability to Land Artemis Astronauts on the Moon by 2028” with Steve Creech, acting program manager, NASA’s Human Landing System Program
• 11:18 a.m. EDT (6:18 p.m. TRT): “NASA’s Artemis Era Science Strategy for Exploration and Discovery” with Dr. Nicky Fox, associate administrator, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate  

Tuesday, Oct. 6 

• 4:45 a.m. EDT (11:45 a.m. TRT): “Artemis II Mission Results: The Industry Perspective” featuring Parsons

Wednesday, Oct. 7  

• 3:15 a.m. EDT (10:15 a.m. TRT): “Space Manufacturing Technology: Driving the Next Revolution in Biotechnology, Advanced Materials, and Human Exploration” featuring Fathi Karouia, senior research scientist, Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, exobiology branch, NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley 
• 4:35 a.m. EDT (11:35 a.m. TRT): “From Observation to Decision – Cracking the Last Mile Challenge” with St. Germain  
• 5 a.m. EDT (12 p.m. TRT): Artemis Accords news conference with Anderson and Major General Roberto Melgar Sheen, director of the Peruvian Space Agency (CONIDA) 
• 8 a.m. EDT (3 p.m. TRT): “Trusted AI on Mars” featuring Steve Chien, technical fellow and senior research scientist in the Artificial Intelligence Group at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California 
• 9:35 a.m. EDT (4:35 p.m. TRT): “NASA’s Artemis II Preliminary Lunar Science Release” featuring Anderson, Fox, Dr. Lori Glaze, associate administrator, NASA’s Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate, and Dr. Kelsey Young, Artemis II lunar science lead, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate 

Thursday, Oct. 8  

• 10:45 a.m. EDT (5:45 p.m. TRT): “Pioneering Organ-Chip Research in Space to Advance Precision Health” featuring Dr. Lisa Carnell, division director, Biological and Physical Sciences, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate  

Friday, Oct. 9 

• 3 a.m. EDT (10 a.m. TRT): “What It’s Like to Be an Astronaut” with NASA astronaut Chris Williams at NASA’s exhibit

How to Attend/Watch 

A full agenda for this year’s IAC is available online for registered media. To view select events, visit the International Astronautical Federation YouTube channel.  

In addition to the events outlined above, NASA will have an exhibit featuring the agency’s contributions to space exploration, celebrating the U.S. Freedom 250 commemoration, and U.S. leadership in space exploration, science, and technological innovation.

NASA’s exhibit booth number is in Hall 1 at NEST Convention Centre. 

To learn more about NASA international partnerships, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/oiir

-end-

George Alderman / Elizabeth Shaw  
Headquarters, Washington 
202-358-1600 
george.a.alderman@nasa.gov / elizabeth.a.shaw@nasa.gov

The NASA ORBIT (Opportunities in Research, Business, Innovation, and Technology for the Workforce) Challenge invites university and community college students nationwide to work with real NASA intellectual property and mission challenges.

Choose your path: develop commercial applications of NASA patents that solve problems here on Earth (ORBIT Earth), or design next-generation technologies for space exploration (ORBIT Space). The most ambitious teams can pursue both through the optional Integration Bonus.

Award: Up to $500,000 in prizes, receive mentorship from NASA experts, and present your work at an in-person showcase. Finalists gain access to an exclusive accelerator program designed to launch careers in STEM and entrepreneurship.

Challenge Open Date: September 14, 2026

Registration Close Date: November 16, 2026

For more information, visit: https://nasaorbit.org/