Mouser Electronics Announces Final Call for Entries in First-of-Its-Kind Design Challenge to 3D Print an Object in Space

Dallas & Fort Worth, TX, September 29, 2016 (Newswire.com) - ​​Mouser Electronics Inc., a leading global distributor of electronic components, today announced the final call for entries for the exciting and imaginative International Space Station (I.S.S.) Design Challenge, part of Mouser’s award-winning Empowering Innovation Together™ program. The contest is open until midnight (Central Time) Oct. 7, 2016.

The challenge is led by former commander of the I.S.S. Colonel Chris Hadfield and celebrity engineer Grant Imahara. With universities back in full swing, Mouser is challenging college and university students, engineers, and makers to create a 3D-printable project designed to help I.S.S. astronauts in space. All entries will be judged by Imahara and Col. Hadfield.

Mouser and Imahara are teaming up for the I.S.S. Design Challenge, part of the Empowering Innovation Together™ program. This challenge calls for designs that will help I.S.S. astronauts, with the winning design 3D-printed aboard the I.S.S. Entry deadline is Oct. 7.

In a recently released video, Imahara and Hadfield discuss what they are looking for in a winning entry: useful, practical items that can be used by astronauts on the I.S.S. in their weightless environment.

“Anyone designing for this competition is going to be able to share in the powerful feeling of being part of a global community of innovation,” said Col. Hadfield. “I look forward to reviewing the entries!”

For the I.S.S. Design Challenge, Mouser has partnered with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Made In Space, along with Hackster and MacroFab. The winner of the ISS Challenge will receive a 3D printer, a consultation with Made In Space — pioneers in additive manufacturing technology for use in the space environment — and the prestige of seeing their design 3D-printed aboard the ISS.  Mouser’s valued suppliers Amphenol  and Intel® are co-sponsors of the program.

“Mouser’s unparalleled selection of electronic components allows both amateurs and professionals to create nearly anything they can dream up for this contest,” said Glenn Smith, President and CEO of Mouser Electronics.

To learn more about the I.S.S. Design Challenge, view the video at https://youtu.be/j4FMRuZ_VRM. For full contest details and guidelines, visit http://www.mouser.com/contests/iss-project-contest.

About Mouser Electronics

Mouser Electronics, a subsidiary of TTI, Inc., is part of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway family of companies. Mouser is an award-winning, authorized semiconductor and electronic component distributor, focused on the rapid introduction of new products and technologies to electronic design engineers and buyers. Mouser.com features more than 4 million products online from more than 600 manufacturers. Mouser publishes multiple catalogs per year providing designers with up-to-date data on the components now available for the next generation of electronic devices. Mouser ships globally to over 500,000 customers in 170 countries from its 750,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility south of Dallas, Texas. For more information, visit www.mouser.com. 

About Grant Imahara

Well known in the engineering community, Grant Imahara has paired his engineering expertise with a Hollywood TV and film career. In addition to his roles on MythBusters and BattleBots, Imahara is the inventor behind many famous robotic characters, including the Star Wars prequel-era R2-D2, talking robot sidekick Geoff Peterson from The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and the rhythmic arms on the modern-day Energizer Bunny.

About Chris Hadfield

“Good morning, Earth!” That is how Colonel Chris Hadfield—writing on Twitter—woke up the world every day while living for five months aboard the International Space Station. Since then, Colonel Hadfield—who served for 21 years as an astronaut, completing three spaceflights and 2,650 orbits of Earth—has become a worldwide sensation for infusing a sense of wonder into our collective consciousness. Over 32 million people have watched his famous cover of David Bowie's Space Oddity, the first music video made in space, and he is the author of two internationally bestselling books, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth and You Are Here, as well as his newest book for children, The Darkest Dark. With his feet now firmly planted on Earth, Col. Hadfield works tirelessly to inspire young people to do what they love (especially, if it's space-related) and to be fascinated by the world around them.

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Source: Mouser