The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is offering $2.25 million in prize money for three competitions, all aimed at dramatically advancing 3D printing in three areas: dwelling design, printing aggregate and printing mechanism.
NASA's Centennial Challenges Program, in partnership with America Makes, allots $50,000 of the prize money for the design of a habitat for astronauts on Mars. The competition is currently open to designers and tinkerers, says John Wilbzynski, deputy director of technology development, America Makes, Youngstown, Ohio. Winners will be announced on Sept. 27, which is the same day the second and third challenges begin.