Developing future space journeys by challenging entrepreneurs today

NASA has come up with six new contests to stimulate bright minds into developing new space technologies. This is a cool move on the agency's part.

Planned contests include the development of:

1. Orbital gas stations (Fuel Depot Challenge)
2. Extraterrestrial SUVs (Human All-Terrain Vehicle Challenge)
3. Astronaut fashion on a budget (Low-Cost Space Pressure Suit Challenge)
4. Generators for the Moon (Lunar Night Power Source Challenge)
5. Little delivery trucks (Micro Reentry Vehicle Challenge)
6. Space sailboats (Station-Keeping Solar Sail Challenge)

I, for one, am encouraged by NASA's willingness to work with the private sector in developing the technologies that will be vital to future space exploration. I like the idea of the contests to challenge individuals and companies to develop new inventions for space travel, and NASA deserves a pat on the back for encouraging potential contestants to help set the boundaries of the competitions.

The current draft rules for the six new contests were developed by in-house by NASA personnel, [program manager for the Centennial Challenges effort Brant] Sponberg said, adding that before the agency launches the competitions officially, feedback from those who will compete in them is vital. “The whole idea is to go out eternally and to have the people competing for this, or whoever, let us know what needs tweaking.”

No longer insular, NASA embraces entrepreneurs. Let's see more of it.