Repository of problems worth solving
World Solve is a public institutional repository for identifying real unresolved problems across science, society, health, governance, economics, and local systems. Each entry is intended to be citable, inspectable, and actionable.
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4194Total
4194Open
0Solved
9Humans
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Observations show massive black holes existing just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang, far too fast for standard accretion models. Direct collapse seed theories or primordial black hole physics need verification.
science-space
global-unspecified
black
primordial
holes
origin
supermassive
early
universe
unexplained
observations
show
know
matter
dark
actually
what
fully
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Gas-pressurized suits strain astronaut joints, limiting mobility and causing physical fatigue during extravehicular activities. Mechanical counter-pressure suit technology (biosuits) needs practical design breakthroughs.
science-space
global-unspecified
suits
space
too
heavy
rigid
exhausting
long-duration
planetary
surface
exploration
suit
current
haven
whether
mathematics-logic
technology-computing
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Large mega-constellations reflect sunlight and emit spurious radio frequencies, interfering with ground-based optical and radio telescopes. Low-reflectivity coatings, active satellite beam steering, and mitigation software are needed.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
radio
satellite
optical
communication
networks
produce
terrestrial
astronomical
noise
pollution
science-space
mathematics-logic
laser
don
have
whether
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Robotic planetary landers are restricted by payload weight and power, making complex lab chemistry difficult on site. Micro-fluidic lab-on-a-chip biosensors are required to analyze Martian or icy moon soil in-situ.
science-space
global-unspecified
lack
ultra-sensitive
miniaturized
instruments
detect
low
concentrations
bio-organic
molecules
robotic
power
sources
autonomous
long
situ
extraction
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Rigid aeroshells are constrained by rocket fairing diameters, limiting landed mass to around 1-2 metric tons. Deployable or inflatable aerodynamic decelerators are needed to land heavy human habitats safely.
science-space
global-unspecified
heavy
atmospheric
entry
heat
shields
massive
payloads
mars
venus
too
climate-environment
suits
space
rigid
density
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Multi-year missions introduce sensory deprivation, communication delays, and high stress among crew members. Biomarker tracking, behavioral software, and crew dynamics protocols are needed to preserve mental health.
science-space
global-unspecified
mental-health
long-term
human
isolation
confined
space
environments
leads
severe
psychological
friction
mental
health
support
missions
medical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Martian dust storms and atmospheric tides cause rapid density shifts that alter entry trajectories and threaten landers. Real-time satellite atmosphere sensing and adaptive guidance systems are needed.
science-space
global-unspecified
atmospheric
entry
density
high-density
planetary
prediction
inaccurate
due
variable
upper-atmosphere
systems
real
time
society-governance
detecting
sensing
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Radiation-hardened chips rely on legacy nanometer fabrication processes to resist cosmic rays, limiting edge-computing AI in space. Photonic chips or radical fault-tolerant micro-architectures must be developed.
science-space
global-unspecified
current
space-grade
electronics
orders
magnitude
slower
earth-based
microprocessors
chips
radiation-hardened
lack
cosmic
explain
ultra-high-energy
rays
know
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Gravitational clustering of trans-Neptunian objects suggests an unseen massive planet beyond Pluto. Deep wide-field survey software and ultra-sensitive infrared observatories are required to pinpoint its coordinates.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
planet
have
not
definitively
located
hypothetical
nine
outer
solar
system
whether
know
don
philosophy-ethics
determine
science-space
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Current life support distillation systems build up volatile organics and salts, degrading filtration membranes quickly. Next-generation electrochemical and enzymatic water purification systems are needed.
science-space
global-unspecified
water
recycling
human
sweat
urine
space
yields
toxic
trace
contaminants
systems
society-governance
climate-environment
technology-computing
whether
economics-resources
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Because operators on Earth must check every step, rovers cover only meters per day on distant worlds. Fully autonomous, vision-guided AI navigation system operating locally on edge hardware is needed.
science-space
global-unspecified
rovers
robotic
planetary
move
far
too
slowly
over
unfamiliar
terrain
autonomous
lack
systems
algorithms
decentralized
satellite
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Variable space weather causes unpredictable upper atmosphere expansion, creating atmospheric drag that alters satellite orbits without warning. Space situational awareness requires real-time upper-atmosphere mapping.
science-space
global-unspecified
lack
precise
continuous
monitoring
earth
thermosphere
ionosphere
mass
density
space
enabling
society-governance
technologies
systems
know
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
To achieve high efficiency, nuclear thermal engines must run hydrogen propellant at temperatures over 2,500 K, which corrodes reactor cores. Development of advanced ultra-high-temperature carbide and nitride nuclear ceramics is vital.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
nuclear
thermal
propulsion
reactors
suffer
rapid
degradation
fuel
elements
extreme
lack
science-space
systems
continuous
verification
solutions
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Ground-based laser interferometers like LIGO can only hear high-frequency stellar-mass black hole collisions. Space-based interferometers with million-kilometer laser baselines (like LISA) are required.
science-space
global-unspecified
black
hole
cannot
directly
detect
low-frequency
gravitational
waves
supermassive
binaries
holes
climate-environment
study
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Missions passing from the inner solar system to the deep outer cold face severe thermal swings that degrade instruments. Variable emissivity smart materials and active thermal fluid loops are needed.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
thermal
active
interplanetary
spacecraft
lack
lightweight
control
systems
extreme
environments
science-space
long
storage
whether
materials
designs
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Medicines used on Earth lose potency rapidly on orbit, endangering astronauts on long multi-year Mars missions. Developing radiation-shielded drug formulations and long-shelf-life stabilizing active compounds is required.
health-biology
global-unspecified
pharmaceuticals
break
down
significantly
faster
microgravity
cosmic
radiation
conditions
medicines
science-space
missions
support
medical
psychological
long
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Collecting samples from Venus or deep Martian canyons requires multi-stage rockets launching autonomously from foreign surfaces. Lightweight planetary ascent vehicles and automated orbital rendezvous systems must be built.
science-space
global-unspecified
systems
planetary
lack
autonomous
sample
return
missions
high-gravity
worlds
collecting
society-governance
technology-computing
climate-environment
economics-resources
ensuring
public
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Spaceflight suppresses T-cell activity, making astronauts vulnerable to opportunistic infections during flight. Immunomodulatory counter-measures and rapid point-of-care diagnostics are needed for space habitats.
health-biology
global-unspecified
rapid
sustained
microgravity
causes
immune
system
dysregulation
reactivation
latent
viruses
diagnostics
protocols
hiv
areas
philosophy-ethics
ethical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
While ion drives are fuel-efficient, their low thrust-to-weight ratio means orbital transfers take months or years. High-power, magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters operating at the multi-kilowatt level are needed.
health-biology
global-unspecified
ion
thrusters
low
orbital
electric
generate
thrust
making
unsuitable
rapid
debris
space
poses
exponential
science-space
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Atmospheric pressure and temperatures inside gas giants destroy probes long before reaching their cores. Advanced gravitational mapping, seismic sensors, and neutrino probes are needed to uncover their core states.
science-space
global-unspecified
gas
cannot
directly
study
interior
structures
giant
planets
like
jupiter
climate-environment
internal
dynamics
