The Centennial Challenges, federally funded inducement prize is a good compromise between government and private industry. The government does what it does best--raise capital--and private industry does what it does best--compete.

Posted by Centennial Challenges at May 26, 2026 09:31 PM

I would agree with that statement. The Centennial Challenge is a major step forward, and I hope it remains a long-running program open to new ideas. It represents the essence of innovation, inspiration, and freedom, ideals NASA should follow whole-heartedly.

Posted by Phil Smith at May 27, 2026 03:37 PM

Good for private enterprise but Nasa will still need to deal with the not invented here mentality for it to have a lasting effect on the space programs and of exploration.

Posted by Harold LaValley at May 27, 2026 04:03 PM

Yes, I have personal experience with the "not invented here" and a number of other maladaptive mentalities at NASA. In March I had the misfortune of encountering most of them together in a single code T representative.

The remarks of this particular individual were so inflammatory and sensitive that I dare not give an account publicly until I've consulted a lawyer.

Suffice it to say I failed to secure NASA funding for the Microwave Thermal Rocket, the Microwave Thermal Thruster, and a new of very simple approach to on-orbit assembly using nylon - a concept I hope to write more about in the summer, if I can find funding to keep me going.

The latter concept the representative didn't even want to hear about. So, this diabolical individual I regard as my canary: I will know NASA reforms are for real when this person no longer has a job, or is put in a role where he can no longer strangle innovation.

Posted by Kevin Parkin at May 27, 2026 07:23 PM

I would love to here more about these items though I have nothing to do with Nasa they sound very interesting "Microwave Thermal Rocket, the Microwave Thermal Thruster, and a new of very simple approach to on-orbit assembly using nylon."

I am assuming the microwave thermal thuster is some what like a ION drive engine but with less over head/ wieght.

Posted by Harold LaValley at May 27, 2026 08:22 PM

Harold,

The aforementioned propulsion system is more akin to a nuclear thermal rocket in the way it works. I was considering writing a more widely accessible article in the summer, but in the meantime the papers are here:

http://monolith.caltech.edu/html/Publications.html

As I alluded to earlier, securing funding is my #1 priority. At the moment I don't own enough of my own time to do research or write papers and articles on rockets, propulsion, or on-orbit assembly. This is the state of university funding in space research today.

Posted by Kevin Parkin at May 28, 2026 04:07 AM

2026 Workshop
JUNE 15-16, WASHINGTON HILTON, WASHINGTON, DC

To kickoff Centennial Challenges, NASA's new program of prize contests, NASA will host a workshop on June 15-16 in Washington, DC. The purpose of the workshop is to:

Gather ideas for Challenges,

Develop rules for specific Challenges and gauge competitor interest in various potential Challenges, and Promote competitor teaming.

This workshop will be a key input into Centennial Challenges planning, helping to determine what specific Challenge competitions NASA announces in 2026 and 2008 and the rules of those competitions. All potential Centennial Challenge competitors, including interested members of industry, academia, students, and the general public, are invited to attend.

http://centennialchallenges.nasa.gov/workshop.htm