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Leonardo Solvers Wanted, a new challenge on sustainable space operations

“Enabling Sustainable Space Operations: Advancing Lunar Resource Exploration, Extraction and Utilization” is the new Solvers Wanted challenge, focuses on the development of technologies for the exploration and utilisation of resources available on the Moon and other planetary bodies.

30 July 2026

Future space exploration architectures will increasingly involve long-duration missions and a sustained human presence on the Moon. In this context, the ability to use locally available resources will be crucial to reducing reliance on supplies from Earth and making space operations more autonomous and sustainable.

Leonardo is therefore seeking ideas, enabling technologies and innovative solutions that can contribute to the development of future In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) infrastructure and the associated space-resource value chains.

The challenge, launched as part of Solvers Wanted, covers four main technology areas:

Resource Identification and Mapping

Technologies for identifying, characterising and mapping lunar and planetary resources, including advanced sensing and prospecting solutions, geophysical surveys and systems for subsurface analysis.

Resource Extraction and Mining

Autonomous systems for extracting and collecting locally available resources, with a particular focus on deep-drilling and excavation technologies and scalable solutions for recovering water and raw materials that can be used to produce oxygen, hydrogen and other resources of interest.

Resource Processing

Technologies for converting extracted resources into products and materials that can be used by space missions and infrastructure. This area includes processes for regolith treatment, water and oxygen production, thermal management and resource storage.

Logistics and Mobility Solutions

Robotic and autonomous solutions for transporting, handling and distributing materials and resources between extraction, processing, storage and utilisation sites, supporting the development of integrated lunar logistics ecosystems.

Collaboration and technology development
The initiative is open to start-ups, innovative SMEs, universities and research centres developing autonomous systems to identify, extract, process, store and transport resources directly in space, thereby supporting the growth of the future space economy.

Leonardo will select multiple projects, providing each with funding of up to €50,000 and the opportunity to join a 12-to-18-month co-development programme with Leonardo Space teams.

During the programme, participants will work closely with the Payloads, Equipment and Robotics Business Unit and other Leonardo specialists to accelerate the maturation of their proposed solutions.

Selected teams will also be able to present their technologies through dedicated technical sessions and demonstrations. Depending on the results achieved and Leonardo’s strategic priorities, the projects may be considered for subsequent development, validation and integration activities.

Applications will be accepted from 27 July to 30 September 2026. The selected projects will be announced in October 2026.

Discover the challenge and submit your proposal on Solvers Wanted