Tools fit for space, zero- or reduced gravity (moon etc.)

The invention and construction of new tools may be much cheaper and easier than the invention of something big or heavy. I am not thinking of highe sophisticated robotical tools here.

A cash prize for one special tool doesn't need to be more than 50,000 $ maximum I think - may be 10,000 $ are sufficient.

This special and serious idea of a WTN XPRIZE is stimulated by the article "Help Wanted: Space Colonists Need To Be More Than Astronauts " ( www.space.com/adastra/adastra_tradesmen_050330.html ) - the article says that "... Some of the first occupants of the various space stations such as Skylab and Mir found out that the usual tools are difficult to handle in the clumsy confines of a space suit, visibility is reduced or hampered by sunlight unfiltered by our atmosphere, and new tools had to be designed to work in a weightless environment. ..."

What about such a prize?



Dipl.-Volkswirt (bdvb) Augustin (Political Economist)

Quit spamming Ekkehard You must have the job of your life


Yes, this kind of 'small' things will be perfect for a prize competition. But cant we discuss this also in the technology thread?

As this is the WTN XPRIZE section of the XPRIZE message board - the idea of making tools (or other technologies) a prize and which way making them WTN XPRIZEs.

What I would like to see discussed in this section is

1. what to set a WTN XPRIZE for,
2. what people to be adressed,
3. if it should be a cash- or a hardware-prize (or something else),
4. what amount of cash or what hardware should be offered,
5. rules,
6. ...

In this special thread about setting a WTN XPRIZE for tools not the technologies and tolls themselves should be discussed - what should be discussed is

1. which people may be able to develop space-fit tools providing real use in space or at other planets having less gravity and/or atmospheric pressure,
2. how to adress thes people,
3. to 6. listed above.

What's requiring discussion urgently is the question what concrete tool should be a WTN XPRIZE be set for first - and a list of concrete tools at all such a prize should be set for. Including a ranking.

You are right - the technologies themselves should be discussed in the Technology section where I already initiated an according thread.



Dipl.-Volkswirt (bdvb) Augustin (Political Economist)