Sponsored by
Over the last few years multiple companies, institutions and individuals have started building nano-satellites and other small satellites. These little satellites are packed with electronics and range from the size of a computer chip to a smart phone to a pumpkin. With their communication and research capabilities, they have multiple applications working individually or in coordination with one another. But, with the high cost of earth to space transport, how in the world are they going to get up into space?
We challenge YOU to design a 3D printed rocket engine that could become part of a propulsion system and vehicle to carry nano-satellites into space.
The purpose of the competition is to promote innovation and cost effectiveness in small payload delivery through the development of open source collaboratively designed 3D printed rocket engines. This competition focuses on promoting innovation and lowering costs through the collaborative design process, understanding the business cases, and exploring the possibilities of 3D printing for the space industry.
This is the first step in what we hope will be a series of competitions to design technology parts and systems (propulsion systems, launch vehicles) to achieve our goal of sending payloads to space. Our long-term our vision is to launch hundreds of competitions for different space technologies, products, and parts, building everything from satellites to robots to space medical sensors.
3D Printed Rocket Engine by RocketMoonlighting
$5000 - 1st Prize from Sunglass for best rocket engine
$2500 - Student Prize from Sunglass for best rocket engine built by a student team and 50% reduction in membership fees to the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) for all team members
$2500 - Collaborative Design Prize from Sunglass for best contribution to collaborative design
Each winning team will also receive $165 in credit for 3D printing at Shapeways and consulting from the Silicon Valley Space Center.
All teams will receive complimentary access to Sunglass for open-source collaborations and be featured with their work in the DIYROCKETS Design Gallery.
The objective of this competition is to generate collaborative designs and business cases for safe, affordable 3D printed rocket engines that can carry between .5kg - 10 kg into Low Earth Orbit.
Your design must be open source.
Please see the design and technical requirements of 3D printing by visiting the Shapeways Material Overview and Design Guide for 3D printing stainless steel.
Your design must be safe and legal according to your local jurisdiction.
See our competition Rules and Team Agreement for full details.
Your design must be open source.
Please see the design and technical requirements of 3D printing by visiting the Shapeways Material Overview and Design Guide for 3D printing stainless steel.
Your design must be safe and legal according to your local jurisdiction.
See our competition Rules and Team Agreement for full details.
Our jury represents leading visionaries and experts from the technical and design world.
Dean Kamen, founder, FIRST and president, DEKA Research & Development Corporation
Please see the Rules for detailed descriptions of Judging Criteria.
TECHNICAL CRITERIA: Is your design likely to meet the basic technical requirements necessary for delivering a small payload into low earth orbit? Will your rocket achieve the necessary thrust, burn time and not melt? Is your design efficient and using minimal propellant? Is your design safe?
COLLABORATIVE DESIGN CRITERIA: Did you engage in collaborative design efforts during the competition? Did you publicly post your design as early as possible, sharing and receiving meaningful feedback with other entrants and the public and incorporating that feedback into your decision process if you think it could improve the design?
BUSINESS CASE: Is your design cost-efficient for the emerging small payload industry? Is it more competitive than current products that exist? Does your design offer any new innovations or features?
Judging criteria for this prizes is the same as 1st Prize for Best Overall Rocket Engine Criteria but is awarded for a design submitted by a team of students from an educational institution.
Did you engage in collaborative design efforts during the competition? Did you publicly post your design as early as possible, sharing and receiving meaningful feedback with other entrants and the public and incorporating that feedback into your decision process if you thought it could improve the design?
Dean Kamen is a leading American scientist and inventor whose products include the Segway human transporter and the iBOT battery-powered wheelchair. As an inventor, he holds more than 440 U.S. and foreign patents, many of them for innovative medical devices that have expanded the frontiers of health care worldwide.
Angelo Vermeulen, visual artist, space researcher
Angelo Vermeulen is a visual artist, filmmaker, biologist, space researcher, community organizer, and author. His original PhD training in ecology, environmental pollution and teratology plays a crucial role in his art.In 2009 he launched 'Space Ecologies Art and Design (SEAD)', a platform for artistic research on the architectures and biopolitics of space colonization. He collaborates with the MELiSSA life support division of the European Space Agency (ESA), and is also a member of ESA's Arts & Science Topical Team. His space-related work led him to start a new PhD at Delft University of Technology in 2011.
Taylor Wilson, Inventor
Visit the DIYROCKETS Open Space University to learn more about rockets, 3D Printing, Nano-Satellites and more.
Taylor Wilson is an American nuclear scientist who was noted in 2008 for being the youngest person in the world (at age 14) to build a working fusor.
Additional Judges coming soon.
Do you have an idea for a different space technology design? Go ahead and submit other 3D printed rocket part designs or designs for other space technologies to the platform. Although these designs cannot win this competition, your work will become part of the community and will be showcased to the world, generating feedback and exposing your idea to potential new collaborators, investors and the media.
Registration open until April 6, 2013, 11:59 PM PST
First 3D Draft of Design due April13, 2013, 11:59 PM PST.
Concept Note due April 13, 2013, 11:59 PM PST
Business Case due June 1, 2013, 11:59 PM PST
Final Design due June 1, 2013, 11:59 PM PST
Winners announced by July 1, 2013
Please see our Rules for a detailed description of the above deliverables. Please see the registration requirements in our Team Agreement.