Interested in space travel and 3D printing? Then the “Print the Future” contest might be the competition for you. The National Space Society’s Enterprise In Space program has teamed up with Made In Space, Kepler Space Institute, Sketchfab, 3D Hubs and Prairie Nanotechnology to advance the state of the art in additive manufacturing in space.
The contest
Enterprise in Space are enlisting university or post-grad students to design objects meant to 3D printed in space. The competition applies to everyone over 18 years of age, all over the world. Accordingly, each entry must fulfil one of two (or both) topic criterion:
- Advancements in “additive manufacturing processes in space”
- Or advancements in “space structures for future space development and settlement”
The objects will be printed onboard the International Space Station. Eventually, NASA will bring the object to Earth for the winning contestants to keep. You need to cover 4 criteria to win: Scientific Merit, Engineering Merit, Commercial Potential and Originality.
How to Sign up
First, you need to form a team. Participants can sign up their teams on the Enterprise in Space website. Before you can enter, you’ll need to become ‘virtual crew members’ of Enterprise in Space.
Then, you need to sign up as a Print the Future team on Sketchfab, using your Virtual Crew Member Credentials. After that, you can submit your design package to EIS Academy and you’re good to go.
More info about registration process can be found here.
The Prize
In addition to receiving an object printed in space, up to 3 team members will receive a $5,000 scholarship per person. The Kepler institute will finance these scholarships. Additionally, Ad Astra magazine and the Industry Trade Journal will publish the results. It’s a great opportunity to get your name out there.
Even those who don’t win the coveted first place will reserve certain prizes. Eligible entrants can have their names aboard the NSS Enterprise spacecraft and at a space museum. Also, they will receive a Sketchfab professional account and a Virtual Crew Member certificate.
There are a range of other prizes for finalists and semi-finalists as well. So what are you waiting for? Get your entry ready and maybe you can be the proud creator of an object 3D printed in space. Perhaps your name can be welcome entry into the annals of space exploration and science history.
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