Tags: Launch Vehicle, Rocket, 3D, 3D Printer
Publication: TheNextWeb.com
Publication Date: 03/08/2013

Shapeways’ 3D printers. This 3D printing startup company will print models of the two best designs Image credit: Shapeways

DIYRocket and Sunglass have partnered to launch the world’s first open source competition to create a 3D printed rocket engine. The contest will open on Mar. 9 during this year’s SXSW.

The competition challenges inventors, innovators and space entrepreneurs to develop a new engine design that can be initially used for small payload delivery, but later to “disrupt the space transportation industry.”

With this contest, DIYRockets seeks to open up space exploration to the public, inviting new ideas and cooperation to achieve new developments. Participants must use Sunglass’s free cloud-based collaboration platform to create, edit and share their 3D designs to be considered for the competition.

Sunglass will award a total of $10,000 in prizes for the winning designs, which will be selected by a judge panel of industry experts from NASA, MIT, TED, and other ventures. 3D printing startup Shapeways will provide $500 in free 3D printing to help create models or miniaturized prototypes of the top two designs.

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