Photo via NASA
Photo via NASA

Radiation in space. It’s a big problem. Especially if you’re trying to get astronauts safely to the Red Planet.

What’s a space agency to do? Why make a contest to crowdsource the solution.

NASA has announced this challenge “Reducing Exposure to Galactic Cosmic Rays [GCR] through Active and Passive Shielding” to do just that.

“The GCR present a ubiquitous and omnidirectional radiation source that yields a persistent exposure rate which can lead to unacceptable cancer risk for deep space missions lasting 150 days or more,” states the callout. “This challenge solicits solutions utilizing configurations of passive and/or active shielding aimed at reducing exposure to the GCR for such missions.”

If you can get a written proposal submitted by June 29 that helps NASA “maximize radiation protection while keeping parasitic mass as low as possible,” you could snag the $29,000 award.

Photo via NASA
Photo via NASA

If dealing with the whole radiation problem isn’t your bag, no worries. NASA announced another challenge that might be more fun to work on. In the “Journey to Mars” Challenge, they’re seeking public input into what should go into a human colony. Ideas can cover “shelter, food, water, breathable air, communication, exercise, social interactions and medicine,” and more, according to the statement on their site.

To enter your idea, you must choose one or more Mars surface systems and present how it can be technically achievable and sustainable. Three awards for these ideas, paying a minimum of $5,000 each, will be awarded.

You can read up on all the NASA challenges out there at InnoCentive, a crowdsourcing site for solutions NASA posts all its public challenge through.

Now get to work. Curiosity is getting lonely up there.

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