NASA crowdsources ideas for space exploration

Hackathons and design challenges are a good time for participants to flex their creative muscles and get some recognition for it. The cynic in me might dismiss these as just an inexpensive way for big companies to get ideas, but that’s me. And anyway, when it’s NASA coming over and asking to crowdsource ideas off you, it’s probably hard to stay cynical.

The US space agency’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation (CoECI) partnered with Freelancer to crowdsource design, app, and tool ideas, the Australian company announced today.

CoECI’s call for ideas included, among others, apps that use NASA’s Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) protocol, a nascent communications technology that’s basically the first step in creating interplanetary internet – so you know it’s cool.

The challenge was to use DTN and GPS satellites to create a probability map showing where network connectivity might exist. The winning entry, by a Chicago-based freelancer nicknamed “betafind,” was inspired by the trailer for Ridley Scott’s latest film, The Martian.

A series of contests called for 3D models of accessories and tools for NASA’s Robonaut, the robotic assistant that currently calls the International Space Station his home. Ideas included a flashlight, various cases, a grapple hook, and even a manila envelope.

Another contest called for smartwatch apps that will actually be used by astronauts in space. The hardware reference for designers was the Samsung Gear 2 (in space, no one can see your Apple Watch). Mechanical engineer Jocelyn Richard and industrial and UX designer Ignacio Calvo, from Canada, were the ones who created the winning app concept and claimed the prize of US$1,500.

Their idea involves an app that has communication and timer functions, allowing astronauts to monitor the ISS’s connectivity status and track time precisely using up to four timers and countdowns concurrently. The two creators are massive fans of space exploration and would be happy to continue working on the app and see it through to completion if they got the chance.

According to Freelancer, participants from 81 countries tried their hand across 23 contests. India spearheaded the effort, with 277 entries. Neighboring Bangladesh had 123 and Pakistan, 56. The contests are available to view here.

Space exploration is rapidly becoming rife for entrepreneurs to take advantage of, with investment in space companies reaching US$1.17 billion in 2015, according to research firm CB Insights.