Project Description

Overview

The NASA Micro-g competition is aimed to challenge students to manufacture innovative tools that can be used to address real life issues and challenges commonly faced by Artemis Astronauts on lunar missions. The device designed and manufactured must comply with specific rules and requirements outlined by NASA that is released in August. NASA releases challenges that teams can approach, and from there, each team decides which challenge their device will address. Teams submit a proposal to NASA in October outlining their ideas for the device, identifying the challenge being addressed. Should the team be accepted into the competition in December , they will begin building and testing the prototype device, ensuring requirements are met during the spring. If successful, members will be invited to the NASA Neutral Buoyancy Lab in Houston, Texas to perform testing at the facility by professional divers in a simulated pool to mimic the environment of microgravity on the moon. This unique experience is accompanied by a STEM outreach requirement a part of the competition in order to further educate and inspire the next generation of thinkers.

For more information about the competition

Team Organization

The Micro-g competition team is split into two distinct teams: Design and Operations. Design Team tasks focus on developing a detailed design based upon initial ideation and brainstorming, creating a computer model of the design, and planning the manufacturing methods for the design. The Operations Team is responsible for documentation, planning, and organizing outreach opportunities, managing the team’s online and public presence, securing funding, and the most important task of all: the project proposal sent to NASA with the accompanying one-minute concept pitch video.

Goals of Design Team

Develop a detailed design that meets challenge size, weight, material, mechanical, and handling constraints specified by NASA that can function in microgravity environments.
Use SolidWorks, or other CAD software, to create 3D models of the team's designs throughout the competition.
Build an initial alpha prototype that displays at least one important feature of the design and illustrates how it will operate. This can be used for the proposal and one-minute concept video.
Develop a manufacturing/test plan for the prototype and creating a bill of materials.
Conduct a computer/mathematical analysis of the design to determine the stresses it will experience and where design failure could occur during operation.

Deliverables of Design Team

Finalized design
CAD (Computer-Aided Design) model of design
Manufacturing plan
Bill of Materials
Completed design safety and failure analysis
Simple prototype to demonstrate design concept
Beta prototype manufactured that demonstrates the intended functionality of the design

Goals of Operations Team

Write the NASA proposal document that will get the team selected to move on in the competition. The proposal describes the design, explains how it meets challenge requirements, discusses the test plan, and details safety considerations and outreach plans. The proposal must explain design feasibility to be accepted by NASA engineers.
Create the one-minute concept pitch video to accompany the proposal and provide a visual reference for device operation.
Organize and plan STEM outreach activities with local schools where the team can discuss the project and emphasize the importance of getting students interested in STEM. Evidence of learning must be demonstrated in any given educational activity plan.
Create a sponsorship package and write grant requests to obtain team funds for the competition and travel.
Manage and create content for the team’s social media accounts and website that will increase the team’s online following and reach.

Deliverables of Operations Team

NASA proposal document
Concept pitch video
Sponsorship package and funding plan
Finalized STEM engagement outreach plan
STEM engagement outreach execution
Updated website and social media outreach

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