MIT Students Win NASA Lunar Recycling Challenge

The team successfully demonstrated a system to turn lunar waste into functional tools, reducing the need for Earth-based supplies.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Space

A close-up of a machine molding recycled aerospace foam into a new industrial component in a laboratory setting. — An MIT student team led development of a recycling system that transforms lunar waste into functional tools, earning $925,000 from NASA. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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An MIT student team named CERBERUZ recently won both tracks of NASA's LunaRecycle Centennial Challenge, securing $925,000 in prize money. The researchers developed a system to transform lunar waste into functional tools and spare parts.

Why it matters

By enabling the conversion of trash into manufacturing feedstocks, this technology reduces the heavy reliance on Earth-launched supplies. This innovation is critical for the long-term sustainability of permanent lunar bases.

The system processes non-biological waste by grinding materials into powder, then utilizes an injection moulding machine to melt plastics and bind remaining components. The team created a digital simulation tool, DEIMOS, to predict material behavior and part formation accuracy.

The players

CERBERUZ

An MIT student research team focused on developing resource-recycling technologies for space exploration.

NASA

The United States government agency responsible for the civilian space program and the LunaRecycle Centennial Challenge.

The details

The recycling process converts materials like Zotek F30—a high-performance aerospace packaging foam—into usable assets through mechanical disintegration and thermal reforming. The DEIMOS software simulates the physical state of the recycled output during the moulding process, allowing for predictive quality control. This approach minimizes the need for high-mass resupply missions by repurposing existing end-of-life materials found on the lunar surface.

2017: MIT Space Resources Workshop was founded.
2025: Team named a Phase 1 winner.
Summer 2026: Final demonstration of the recycling system.

The Tech Race

This project aligns with the broader push to establish a circular economy for space infrastructure, moving beyond simple storage to on-site material reclamation. It directly addresses the logistical constraints faced by NASA’s LunaRecycle Centennial Challenge participants in creating sustainable lunar supply chains.

This development represents a foundational step for future lunar colonists who will rely on recycled materials to maintain essential equipment. The technology serves as a proof-of-concept for remote manufacturing workflows that require minimal heavy infrastructure.

The takeaway

The success of the CERBERUZ team highlights the viability of powder-based recycling for isolated environments. Future milestones to monitor include the scaling of the DEIMOS simulation tool and the testing of recycled components in high-radiation space conditions.