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.
Publicly citable
Every problem has a stable citation code for reference and discussion.
Filtered by relevance
Search by category, geography, status, and keywords.
Builder-oriented
Use the repository to find startup ideas, policy leads, and research agendas.
4194Total
4194Open
0Solved
10Humans
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Radiation-induced genetic mutations build up silently, increasing crew cancer risks on long space missions. Handheld micro-sequencers capable of real-time DNA/RNA error profiling are required in orbit.
science-space
global-unspecified
real-time
capable
dna
lack
biosensors
detecting
mutation
rates
astronauts
during
systems
real
time
society-governance
responding
predicting
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Miniaturized satellites often burn out early because standard thrusters are too large or heavy for 1U-6U form factors. Micro-electrospray and green propellant systems must be scaled up for commercial CubeSat fleets.
science-space
global-unspecified
systems
small
cubesats
lack
propulsion
capable
major
orbital
plane
changes
society-governance
climate-environment
technology-computing
economics-resources
early
real
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Matter inside neutron stars is crushed beyond atomic densities into unknown states like quark-gluon plasma. Multi-messenger astronomy combining X-ray observatories and gravitational wave detectors is needed to probe these conditions.
science-space
global-unspecified
matter
inside
neutron
not
fully
understand
physical
state
star
cores
know
dark
philosophy-ethics
whether
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Constellations operating near distant worlds cannot rely on continuous control from Earth operators. Distributed mesh networks and collision-avoidance algorithms operating autonomously across dozens of nodes must be developed.
science-space
global-unspecified
algorithms
lack
autonomous
decentralized
satellite
swarm
coordination
deep
space
operating
illegal
unreported
fishing
waters
near
planetary
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Traditional star trackers struggle when solar glare or local dust plumes obstruct sensor fields during maneuvers. Pulsar-based navigation systems utilizing ultra-precise atomic X-ray timing signals are needed.
science-space
global-unspecified
navigation
deep-space
optical
loses
accuracy
spacecraft
travel
far
recognizable
stars
space
timing
secure
based
after
whether
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Earth's shifting atmosphere blurs astronomical imagery, requiring expensive adaptive optics systems with limited fields of view. Next-generation artificial laser guide star arrays and photonic lanterns are needed.
science-space
global-unspecified
ground-based
telescopes
suffer
atmospheric
turbulence
limits
angular
resolution
earth
shifting
high
density
entry
atmosphere
ground
optical
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
The boom in commercial satellite constellations on Earth causes RF noise that bleeds into planetary science frequency bands. Strict international spectrum carving and transition to optical laser links are necessary.
science-space
global-unspecified
frequency
spectrum
bands
radio
congestion
threatens
deep
space
telemetry
transmission
optical
laser
satellite
high
lack
communication
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Solar glare blinds optical ground survey telescopes, leaving blind spots where dangerous asteroids can approach unnoticed. Space-based infrared observatories placed at Lagrange point L1 are required for solar-side scanning.
science-space
global-unspecified
asteroids
cannot
easily
detect
dark
metallic
near-earth
approaching
direction
sun
local-regional
yet
health-biology
technology-computing
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Without gravity, liquid fuels float randomly inside tanks, causing air bubbles to enter fuel pumps during orbital refilling. Scalable fluid-settling systems and bladderless zero-g fuel transfer ports must be built.
science-space
global-unspecified
transfer
in-orbit
propellant
between
moving
spacecraft
microgravity
unstable
fuel
gravity
haven
whether
climate-environment
make
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Pressurized gloves force astronauts to constantly fight suit resistance, leading to fingernail loss and severe hand fatigue. Robotic assistance exoskeletons or active pressure-sensing glove joints are needed.
science-space
global-unspecified
suit
gloves
hand
current
space
restrict
dexterity
cause
physical
trauma
work
haven
developed
spacesuit
lets
astronauts
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Cosmic strings are theoretical linear defects in space-time that could explain early cosmic structure formation. Advanced gravitational lensing networks are required to detect their unique space-bending signatures.
science-space
global-unspecified
cosmic
strings
defects
have
direct
observational
images
primal
topological
theoretical
know
remain
explain
matter
dark
ray
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Capturing dead satellites or space debris requires catching uncontrolled objects without causing collision fragments. Advanced computer vision, robotic capture arms, and net-based soft capture systems are required.
science-space
global-unspecified
space
objects
autonomous
docking
between
non-cooperative
tumbling
remains
high
risk
systems
society-governance
designs
governance
whether
philosophy-ethics
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
As microchips shrink, energetic cosmic particles flip memory bits more frequently, freezing flight computers. Ultra-reliable fault-tolerant voting architectures and magnetic RAM must be deployed across satellite buses.
science-space
global-unspecified
cosmic
satellite
ray
impacts
trigger
single-event
upsets
orbit
causing
catastrophic
galactic
shielding
society-governance
source
energy
yet
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Closed space station biomes combined with radiation select for rapid bacterial mutation, risking astronaut health. Autonomous metagenomic sequencing systems must continuously monitor station surfaces for bio-threats.
science-space
global-unspecified
drug-resistant
station
monitor
space
cannot
long-term
microbial
mutations
yield
multi-drug
resistant
systems
support
missions
medical
psychological
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
While optical communication offers high bandwidth, cloud cover blocks laser signals from deep space probes to Earth ground stations. Dynamically routed global ground-station networks and satellite relays are needed.
science-space
global-unspecified
optical
laser
ground
stations
cloud
cover
severely
degraded
atmospheric
weather
technology-computing
space
satellite
whether
earth
radio
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Standard Extravehicular Mobility Units vent water into space to keep astronauts cool, depleting habitat reserves. Closed-loop heat pump suits or phase-change cooling garments need to be integrated into next-gen suits.
science-space
global-unspecified
water
space
cooling
current
suit
systems
rely
sublimation
wasting
critical
climate-environment
whether
urban
philosophy-ethics
cities
society-governance
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Objects originating from outside our solar system pass through at extreme hyperbolic velocities with minimal discovery lead-time. High-delta-v interceptor platforms on standby in deep space orbits are required for defense.
science-space
global-unspecified
defense
objects
lack
operational
planetary
mechanism
deflect
large
fast-moving
interstellar
climate-environment
space
high
autonomous
docking
Ubiquitous sexual harassment on public transit restricts women's mobility, limiting their access to employment, higher education, and public spaces.
science-space
asia
nepal
public-transport
public
haven
established
safe
harassment-free
transport
infrastructure
female
commuters
expanding
society-governance
global-unspecified
technology-computing
economics-resources
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
As more countries and private companies launch satellites, questions about interference, debris responsibility, and orbital rights have no clear, universally accepted governance system. This gap grows more urgent as space becomes more crowded.
science-space
global-unspecified
satellites
orbital
there
shared
framework
governing
controls
infrastructure
countries
whether
philosophy-ethics
have
determine
don
resolved
society-governance
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Current wearables track surface-level signals like heart rate well, but measuring things like blood chemistry non-invasively remains far less reliable. Solving this could make preventive healthcare monitoring dramatically more accessible.
science-space
global-unspecified
yet
build
wearable
devices
accurately
monitor
internal
health
markers
invasive
whether
philosophy-ethics
haven
mathematics-logic
technology-computing
health-biology