The student majors and levels listed in the specs are guidelines. Student teams may be comprised of 3-6 members having different majors and levels, and may include members who are enrolled in related programs or have significant experience or interest in the chosen topic. Members not meeting the topics guidelines are forewarned that extra work may be needed to understand the research material. Team selection is subject to TSGC and NASA mentor approval. Contact TSGC and the project mentor with specific questions.

Please be advised that occasionally topics are restricted by NASA to U.S. Citizen participation only and will be noted as such. At this time, no restrictions are in place for the current list of topics below.

Each applying team should choose three potential topics, a 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice from the OPEN topics list.

All team members must be from a TSGC affiliate member institution. Teams may be comprised of students from different institutions.

Please consult the Team Notebook for application and program details.

OPEN topics are seeking team applications this semester until the deadline.

RESERVED topics have at least one team assigned to work on that project this semester. Reserved topics may open again next semester.

CLOSED opics are not offered this semester. They may still of interest to NASA and may become open in future semesters. Contact the mentor or TSGC to explore options.

Questions regarding team membership and other policies should be directed to designchallenge@tsgc.utexas.edu.

FALL 2022 TOPICS LISTING UPDATE - [pdf]

TOPIC #	TOPIC TITLE	TEAM SPECS / TOPIC STATUS
OPEN
TDC-00	CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE NASA MENTOR: To be assigned upon acceptance Special Notice Specs: Teams may propose to work on any NASA or space-related project approved by their faculty advisor, provided that they also secure their own mentor. See the Download Specs file for details. Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: Interdisciplinary Teams Levels: All Levels Duration: One or Two Semester SPECIAL NOTICE: See Specs for additional info. Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-24	INITIAL MARS BASE NASA MENTOR: Hum Mandell CSR & NASA JSC Exploration Office Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: ALL Levels: ALL Duration: One or Two Semester Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-32	DUAL-USE WIDEBAND MICROPHONE ARRAY SYSTEM CHALLENGE NASA MENTOR: George Salazar NASA JSC, Engineering Directorate, Avionic Systems Division Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE, CE, ME, Physics Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-40	MICRO-G NEUTRAL BUOYANCY EXPERIMENT: ORION CREW SAFTEY OR LUNAR SURFACE EVA OPERATIONS (4 CHALLENGE OPTIONS) NASA MENTOR: To be assigned upon acceptance NASA JSC, Office of Education Special Notice Specs: See the Micro-g NExT website for program information, topics, FAQ, and deadlines. Teams will be participating in both TSGC Design Challenge and NASA Micro-g NExT programs. Check deadlines for each program.	Majors: Interdisciplinary Teams Levels: All Levels Duration: One or Two Semester SPECIAL NOTICE: See Specs for additional info. Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-45	VEHICLE INTERCHANGEABLE ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER(VIEC) NETWORK SYSTEM NASA MENTOR: George Salazar NASA JSC, EV/Communications System Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE, CHE, ME Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-49	ANTENNA MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR LANDER OR ZERO GRAVITY CREWED ENVIRONMENT NASA MENTOR: Chatwin Lansdowne NASA JSC, EV8 Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: ME, AE Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: One or Two Semester Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-65	TRADE STUDY FOR CREW LUNAR ASCENT NASA MENTOR: Chatwin Lansdowne NASA JSC, EV8 Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: All Engineering MJRS Levels: UPPER DIVISION [SOPH/JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-66	LANDING ZONE STRATEGY FOR LUNAR BASE TRANSPORT NASA MENTOR: Chatwin Lansdowne NASA JSC, EV8 Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: All Engineering MJRS Levels: UPPER DIVISION [SOPH/JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-72	LUMINOUS NAVIGATION MARKERS FOR LUNAR SURFACE EVAS NASA MENTORS: Toni A. Clark, P.E. and George Salazar NASA JSC, JSC SF3 Leidos (HHPC Contract)/EV3 Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE/ME/IDES/HF/Electronic Design Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: One to Two-Semester Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-77	DARK MATTERS: QUALIFICATION OF THE BLACKEST BLACK SURFACES & TEXTILES FOR ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATIONS TO CONTROL SCATTERED LIGHT NASA MENTOR: Toni A. Clark NASA JSC, Lighting Lab Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE, Ch.E, Materials & Manufacturing Eng, PHYS & Chem, Architecture & Facility Design majors Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: One or Two Semester Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-78	RECONFIGURABLE LIGHTING SYSTEMS FOR SPACECRAFT HABITATS BEYOND LOW EARTH ORBIT NASA MENTOR: Toni A. Clark NASA JSC, Lighting Lab Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: ME, EE, ARCH, PHYS (Optics), Human Factors Levels: UPPER DIVISION [SOPH/JR/SR] Duration: One to Two Semester Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-79	LIGHT-FIDELITY SYSTEM (Li-FiS) NASA MENTOR: George Salazar NASA JSC, EV/Human Interface Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE/CE, CS, AE, Eng Phys, ME Levels: UPPER DIVISION [SOPH/JR/SR] Duration: One or Two Semester Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-80	NASA SUITS (Spacesuit User Interface Technologies for Students) NASA MENTOR: To be assigned upon acceptance NASA JSC, Office of STEM Engagement Special Notice Specs: See the NASA SUITS website for program information, topics, FAQ, and deadlines. Teams will be participating in both TSGC Design Challenge and NASA SUITS programs. Check deadlines for each program.	Majors: Interdisciplinary Teams Levels: All Levels Duration: One or Two Semester SPECIAL NOTICE: See Specs for additional info. Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-81	EVALUATION OF DISRUPTION TOLERANT NETWORK PROTOCOL NASA MENTOR: Paul Hamilton NASA JSC, Engineering Directorate, Avionics Systems Division Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE/CE, CS, AE Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: One or Two Semester Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-82	LUNAR TERRAIN VEHICLE (LTV) CARGO CARRIER NASA MENTOR: Robert C. Trevino NASA JSC, Dynamic Systems Test Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: ME, ASE, Industrial Design Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semesters Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-83	COMPLIANT SUITPORT INTERFACE FOR ROBOTIC ARM TESTING NASA MENTORS: Trevor Jerome & Houston Green NASA JSC, EC2 Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: ME Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semesters Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-84	NEXT GENERATION RENAL STONE MITIGATION FOR EXTENDED SPACE MISSIONS NASA MENTOR: Bara Reyna NASA JSC Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: BMEN, Multidisciplinary Levels: UPPER DIVISION [SR] Duration: Two Semesters Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-85	CREW TRACKING FOR SPACE ANALOG RESEARCH NASA MENTOR: David Thomas NASA JSC, SD2 Research Operations Integration Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE/CE, CS, AE Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: One or Two Semesters Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-90	NASA’s BIG Idea Challenge NASA MENTOR: To be assigned upon acceptance NASA JSC, Office of STEM Engagement Special Notice Specs: See the NASA BIG Idea Challenge for program information, topics, FAQ, and deadlines. Teams will be participating in both TSGC Design Challenge and NASA BIG Idea programs. Check deadlines for each program.	Majors: Interdisciplinary Teams Levels: All Levels Duration: One or Two Semester SPECIAL NOTICE: See Specs for additional info. Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
TDC-100	NASA MITTIC (MUREP Innovation and Tech Transfer Idea Competition) NASA MENTOR: To be assigned upon acceptance NASA JSC, Office of STEM Engagement Special Notice Specs: See the NASA MITTIC for program information, topics, FAQ, and deadlines. Teams will be participating in both TSGC Design Challenge and NASA MITTIC programs. Check deadlines for each program.	Majors: Interdisciplinary Teams Levels: All Levels Duration: One or Two Semester SPECIAL NOTICE: See Specs for additional info. Status: OPEN Current Teams: 0
RESERVED
TDC-69	RADIATION-TOLERANT GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNIT (RGPU) ARCHITECTURE INVESTIGATION NASA MENTOR: George Salazar NASA JSC, EV/Human Interface Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE, CE, CS Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: RESERVED Current Teams: 1
CLOSED
TDC-01	CREW FORCE LOADING ON PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STRUCTURE NASA MENTOR: James Smith NASA JSC, Engineering Directorate, Structural Engineering Division Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: AE, BME, Eng Phys, ME Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two-Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-11	ALTERNATE CLOTHING WASHING OR SANITIZING SYSTEM FOR LONG DURATION SPACE MISSIONS NASA MENTOR: Robert Trevino NASA JSC, Engineering Directorate Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: All Levels Levels: All Majors Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-23	OLFACTORY DELIVERY SYSTEM (ODS) DEVELOPMENT NASA MENTOR: George Salazar NASA JSC, Human Interface Branch Office Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE, CE, ME, CHE Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two-Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-25	ADVANCED SPACECRAFT LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM NASA MENTOR: George Salazar SA JSC, EV/Human Interface Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE, ME, CE Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-33	USE OF SONIFICATION FOR SPACECRAFT SITUATIONAL AWARENESS APPLICATIONS NASA MENTOR: George Salazar NASA JSC, Engineering Directorate, EV/Human Interface Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE,CE Levels: Upper Division [JR/SR] Duration: Two-Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-43	ANTENNA PERFORMANCE OF STANDARD-BASED CONSUMER COMMUNICATION COMMERCIAL OFF-THE-SHELF (COTS) HARDWARE NASA MENTOR: Chatwin Lansdowne NASA JSC, EV/Communications System Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE, CE Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-44	DESIGN OF A THERMAL/CAPILLARY FLIGHT EXPERIMENT NASA MENTOR: John Graf NASA JSC, Crew and Thermal Systems Division - EC Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: CHE, ME Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-46	SPACECRAFT LIGHTING NETWORK SYSTEM (SLNS) NASA MENTOR: George Salazar NASA JSC, EV/Human Interface Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE/CE, CS, AE, Eng. Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-47	HUMAN-TENDED INFLATABLE LUNAR OUTPOST NASA MENTOR: John Alred NASA JSC, EV/Human Interface Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: AE, ME or Materials Eng. Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-50	BLUETOOTH TRACKING VIA BEACONS AND ANGLE OF ARRIVAL NASA MENTOR: Justin Bautista NASA JSC, EV3 Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE, CE, CS Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-51	3D PRINTED FERROUS EMI-EME SHIELDING NASA MENTOR: Chatwin Lansdowne NASA JSC, EV8 Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: One Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-52	3D PRINTED CONDUCTIVE EMI-EME SHIELDING NASA MENTOR: Chatwin Lansdowne NASA JSC, EV8 Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: One Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-53	ALTERNATE TREADMILL FOR EXPLORATION MISSIONS NASA MENTOR: Phillip Callen NASA JSC, Flight Systems Branch/ER3; Software, Robotics, and Simulation Division; Engineering Directorate Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: Multidiscipline (ME, EE, CS, BioMed etc.) Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: One or Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-54	MULTI-MOTOR EXERCISE DEVICE FOR SPACE EXPLORATION NASA MENTOR: Phillip Callen NASA JSC, Flight Systems Branch/ER3; Software, Robotics, and Simulation Division; Engineering Directorate Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: Multidiscipline (ME, EE, CS, BioMed etc.) Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: One or Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-55	TACTILE DISPLAY FOR SPACEWALKS NASA MENTOR: Ricco Aceves NASA JSC, EV3 Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE/CE, CS, AE, ME Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-56	DEVELOPMENT OF VARIABLE EMISSIVITY COATINGS/STRUCTURES FOR SPACECRAFT THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS NASA MENTOR: Angel Alvarez-Hernandez NASA JSC, ES3 Thermal Design Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: All Majors Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: One or Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-57	NOVEL HUMAN RATED SPACECRAFT THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS NASA MENTOR: Angel Alvarez-Hernandez NASA JSC, ES3 Thermal Design Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: All Majors Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: One or Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-58	NEW DEPLOYABLE RADIATOR DESIGN FOR INFLATABLE STRUCTURES NASA MENTOR: Angel Alvarez-Hernandez NASA JSC, ES3 Thermal Design Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: All Majors Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: One or Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-59	DEVELOPMENT OF DAMAGE TOLERANT/SELF-HEALING HEATER SYSTEMS FOR SPACECRAFT THERMAL MANAGEMENT NASA MENTOR: Angel Alvarez-Hernandez NASA JSC, ES3 Thermal Design Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: All Majors Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: One or Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-61	MACHINE-LEARNING HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERFACE SYSTEM (MHIS) NASA MENTOR: George Salazar NASA JSC, Human Interface Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE, CE Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-62	PREVENTION, MITIGATION, OR TREATMENT OF CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN NASA MENTORS: Bara Reyna & George Salazar NASA JSC, Exploration Medical Capability Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: Kinesiology Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-63	GREYWATER SYSTEMS FOR LUNAR HABITATS NASA MENTOR: John Graf NASA JSC, NASA JSC, ES Structures and Materials Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: AE, ME or Materials Eng Levels: UPPER DIVISION [SOPH/JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-64	MAINSTREAM SOLUTIONS FOR LUNAR DUST MITIGATION NASA MENTOR: Kristen John Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: All Majors Levels: All Levels Duration: One Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-67	ANTENNA MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR LANDER OR MICRO-GRAVITY CREWED ENVIRONMENT NASA MENTOR: Chatwin Lansdowne NASA JSC, EV8 Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE/CE, CS, AE, Eng Phys, ME, Phys Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-68	PRIVATE CLOUD WITH WIRELESS INTERNET OF THINGS (IoT) NASA MENTOR: Chatwin Lansdowne NASA JSC, EV8 Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: EE/CS/CE Levels: UPPER DIVISION [SOPH/JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-70	NOVEL NON-HUMAN RATED SPACECRAFT THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS NASA MENTOR: Angel Alvarez-Hernandez NASA JSC, ES3 Thermal Design Branch Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: All Majors Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: One or Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-71	MACHINE LEARNING AUDIO DENOISING NASA MENTOR: Arjun Sethi NASA JSC, EV3 Audio Development Team Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: CS/SE/CE Levels: UPPER DIVISION [JR/SR] Duration: Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-73	NOVEL NON-TRACKING FIBER OPTIC SOLAR CONCENTRATOR FOR EXTRATERRESTRIAL APPLICATIONS NASA MENTORS: Christopher N. Mendell and Houston Green Jacob/JETS Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: ME/EE/AE/Eng Phys/Math Levels: All Levels Duration: Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-74	PLATFORM FOR LUNAR FOLLOW-ME CAMERA DRONE NASA MENTOR: Chatwin Lansdowne NASA JSC Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: AE, Eng Phys, ME, Phys, Math Levels: UPPER DIVISION [SOPH/JR/SR] Duration: One Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-75	MODIFIED SMALL TERRESTIAL CLOTHES DRYER FOR LONG DURATION SPACE MISSIONS NASA MENTOR: Robert Trevino NASA JSC, Engineering Directorate Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: All Majors Levels: All Levels Duration: One or Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0
TDC-76	MODIFIED SMALL TERRESTIAL CLOTHES WASHER FOR LONG DURATION SPACE MISSIONS NASA MENTOR: Robert Trevino NASA JSC, Engineering Directorate Download Specs [pdf]	Majors: All Majors Levels: All Levels Duration: One or Two Semester Status: CLOSED Current Teams: 0