2009 Space Glove Challenge

http://www.astronaut-glove.us/
http://centennialchallenges.nasa.gov/

Not a lot of details on exactly when, but it seems like it is on, with $400K on the line to create 3 gloves. This is down from $450K previously advertised, but the difference may again be a second sub-contest for a proof-of- concept mechanical counter pressure glove. The original 2007 Contest started with a $250K prize which was then split to $200K and $50K for the MCP challenge. Only the $200K was awarded to Peter Homer who has since started his own company to make space suits.

http://www.flagsuit.com/index.html

"For the 2009 Challenge, teams must provide a complete glove, which consists of the thermal micrometeoroid garment (TMG), unpowered bladder and bladder-restraint portion of the space suit that covers the hand of an astronaut up to and including the wrist joint."

"This is a significant change from the last competition. In 2007, only the bladder and bladder-restraint portion of the glove (inner glove pressurized layer and restraint) was tested."

A little more information finally released:
2009 Astronaut Glove Challenge Announced - REVISED


Follow up message
Editor Note: The contest will be held in November 2009. Specific location and schedule will be posted at www.astronaut-glove.us


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2009 Astronaut Glove Challenge Announced
Washington, DC -- August 10, 2009 – Volanz Aerospace Inc. is pleased to announce the 2009 Astronaut Glove Challenge.

The 2009 Astronaut Glove Challenge award will go to the team that can design and manufacture the best performing glove within competition parameters. The $400,000 total purse will be awarded at a competition (location to be announced), when competing teams test their glove designs against each other. Volanz Aerospace, Inc. (Spaceflight America) is the Allied Organization that is administering and executing the Centennial Challenge for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). “Improving dexterity while reducing hand fatigue is an essential element to our continued living and working in space”, said Dr. Alan Hayes, Chairman and CEO of Volanz Aerospace Inc., the event’s sponsor.
For this year’s Challenge, teams must provide a full Astronaut Glove, consisting of the Bladder-Restraint and the Thermal Micrometeroid Garment (TMG). The Glove must be strong, easy on the hands, and gives the operator a high degree of dexterity. The Astronaut Glove Challenge is intended to promote the development of a highly dexterous and flexible glove resulting in a monetary award to the winning teams. The winner of the Astronaut Glove will be selected by a panel of judges, convened by Volanz Aerospace Inc., and based on objective criteria and rules made available to each team. Volanz Aerospace Inc. has arranged for the following purse to be funded by NASA: $250,000.00 (two hundred fifty thousand U.S. dollars) for the Astronaut Glove Challenge winner, $100,000 (one hundred thousand U.S. Dollars for second place, and $50,000 (fifty thousand U.S. dollars) for the best TMG design. For more information on the 2009 Astronaut Glove Challenge on the web, visit www.astronaut-glove.us. Check out the website for more information.

See you at the 2009 Competition!

Alan Hayes
Chairman/CEO
Volanz Aerospace Inc.

Sigmund Gorski
President/CIO
Volanz Aerospace Inc.