$10,000 - "What would you send to the ISS?"

[Athena]

http://www.networkworld.com/communi...at-would-you-send-international-space-station

If you could send anything at all to the International Space Station, what would it be? No your mother-in-law or neighbor's dog don't qualify.

The agency that manages the research being done onboard the International Space Station -- the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) - is offering a $10,000 prize for the best idea for its "What Would You Send to the ISS?", contest which ends Sept. 16, 2013.

A total of five submissions will receive awards for their ideas. The grand-prize winner will receive $10,000, a paid trip to Florida, a one-day pass to Disney World, an opportunity to witness a CASIS payloads launch from Florida's Space Coast as an invited VIP and the ability to work with CASIS staff to further discuss the winning proposal. Four runners-up will receive $5,000 each.

 

[Artlav]

How about sending there a laptop with Orbiter on it?

Seriously, a 3D printer.
Reprap design can work in zero-G all right, and the advertisement value would boost the 3D printing tech on Earth. Also, astronauts would be able to make custom stuff in situ.

(that one is for free if anyone submit it and win )

 

[Quick_Nick]

Is there any way for me to actually enter? The link in the article just points to their own homepage. :uhh:

 

[MattBaker]

If I get it back how about postage stamps...oh no wait, they've already done that.

No, seriously: I'd have liked the Olympic Torch idea by the Russians since they are the symbol of an old tradition, a peaceful competition between thousands of people out of dozens of nations that usually hate each other.
But it seems like sending fire to the ISS isn't a great idea.:lol:

 

[PennyBlack]

Seriously, a 3D printer.
Reprap design can work in zero-G all right, and the advertisement value would boost the 3D printing tech on Earth. Also, astronauts would be able to make custom stuff in situ.

Thats a good idea. I'd be suprised if they haven't got one up there already with a bag polymers. They could remake broken plastic parts without filling in a requisition form and waiting for the next overly expensive rocket to deliver. :thumbup:

 

[Ghostrider]

You would need some modifications to a 3D printer, like an integrated vacuum cleaner because you don't want small bits of plastic floating around in microgravity...

 

[Spacethingy]

...an integrated vacuum cleaner...

How about a Roomba with reaction jets instead of wheels? I feel an xkcd coming on... :lol:

 

[goaowonk]

How about sending there a laptop with Orbiter on it?

And fly a Shuttle to the ISS meanwhile, no time acceleration. Then Universe will collapse itself.

 

[statickid]

me :shifty:

but seriously, i would just send a nice cake

...and then jump out of it

 

[Kyle]

Not interested. Living in Florida I've attended my fair share of rocket launches for free and without a large crowd of people around. And Disney World?

 

[Unstung]

Seriously, a 3D printer.
Reprap design can work in zero-G all right, and the advertisement value would boost the 3D printing tech on Earth. Also, astronauts would be able to make custom stuff in situ.

A 3D printer has already been tested in parabolic flights. Apparently NASA has plans to send one to the ISS. http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/13/tech/innovation/nasa-3d-printer

 

[Urwumpe]

I would suggest sending a disassembled rocket engine there and let astronauts assemble it in microgravity. Alternatively, an old V8 car engine. Test of the experiment would be a live-firing or engine start on Earth.

Goal is simply to experiment with on-orbit assembly technologies. A Swiss pair of mechanics needed only 9 minutes to assemble a V8 engine from individual parts and start it in live TV. Why should work in space be limited to either large-scale prefabricated assembly or makeshift solutions if something failed?

If you could assembly a rocket engine from parts in space, it would be a small step further, to fab some parts in space. And then test fire it in space. And then use it in spaceflight.