Space and Physics
PUBLISHED
Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) have had their own 3D printer up there since 2014. The goal is to test out the potential of astronauts printing their own tools up in space during future long-term expeditions and, thanks to a new contest, you can be a part of that amazing project.
The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.Mouser Electronics are holding a competition where anybody has the opportunity to create their design onboard the ISS 3D printer. All you have to do is write a 200-word blurb of your design about how it could benefit the astronauts and upload an image of it. You also have to keep in mind some rules and guidelines. As they explain in their description, “You design it. We’ll 3D print it in space. Mouser is looking for an innovative design idea from college engineering students and engineers that can be used by astronauts 200 miles above Earth.”
The tech company added, “The design can be a useful tool, a research item, even an item for entertainment.”
To judge the entries, they’ve brought in former ISS Commander Chris Hadfield and ex-Mythbuster Grant Imahara. The competition closes at midnight on October 7, 2016.
You can also see all the entries from other participants as they come in, which so far includes "food delivery system" and a model of the USS Enterprise from Star Trek.
The grand prize is your own 3D printer. But let’s face it, the coolest bit is having your own creation floating around 400 kilometers (250 miles) above Earth.
Click here to enter.
