Winners have been declaredGG 2.0 SEDS SL 2024
Design a conceptual multi-purpose tool/hardware to be additively manufactured for an autonomous astronaut.1st August to 1st October 2024
Stand a chance to have your designs 3D printedTeam Presentation and White Paper Formats are available here
OUR WINNERS!
AstroSmiths
Chanuga Liyanage, 3rd year, Mechanical Engineering
Imesh Isuranga, 3rd year, Mechanical Engineering
Vihanga Himantha, 3rd year, Civil Engineering
Sarani Jayasooriya, 3rd year, Computer Engineering
Shenal Ekanayake, 3rd year, Industrial and Manufacturing EngineeringMilky_Way-71003
Rakindu Perera - 3rd Year - Mechanical Engineering
C.T. Bandara Atupola - 2nd Year - BSc in Natural Sciences
Thahani Nawfer - 3rd Year - Applied Mathematics
S.T. Pamiru Savisara - 2nd Year - International Program
A conceptual designing competition/challenge set to envision the commercialization of the space industry
GG 2.0 is an R&D (research and development) concept design competition. Students are tasked to design an innovative instrument that any autonomous (the ability to make decisions independently without guidance or support from another party, here; Earth) astronaut would leverage to perform tasks during their missions.Teams have the freedom to define the use case of the said tool and elaborate further through their deliverables.
BACKGROUND
In the pursuit of space exploration, one major challenge is equipping astronauts with versatile, multi-purpose tools that can support a variety of tasks during extravehicular activities (EVAs). Autonomous astronauts will need tools that are not only reliable and efficient but also designed to function seamlessly in the harsh conditions of space. These tools must be compact, lightweight, and able to perform multiple functions to minimize the payload and maximize utility. For instance, a multi-purpose tool might combine features such as a hammer, wrench, and cutting tool, allowing astronauts to handle repairs, collect samples, and perform assembly tasks without carrying multiple single-use tools.GravityGames 2.0 imagines a future where humans have decided to travel immense distances in the void of space and arrive at Mars, the Red Planet. With extended communication times between themselves and mission command, having the autonomy to solve problems as they transpire with specialized tools could be the game-changer that propels the upcoming era of space exploration.GravityGames 2.0 proposes the philosophy of a multipurpose tool - a ‘Swiss Army Knife’ - that could provide the astronauts with a wide array of uses. GravityGames 2.0 in association with SEDS SL, poses this conceptual challenge for teams to design and create a tool using additive manufacturing principles that serve various purposes.
OBJECTIVE
Design a multi-purpose tool that embody the the ‘swiss-army-knife’ or ‘multi-purpose’ design philosophy for any definitive use case to be used by an autonomous astroanut in team-defined use cases.Being a conceptual designing competition, GravityGames 2.0 allows for the freedom of imagination made practical through engineering principles. Team must keep in mind the environment in which their tool will perform the best; for the competition allows teams to define the use cases of their respective tools.1. The conceptual design of the tool must account for the unique environment of space, and zero gravity can significantly impact functionality.
2. The tool must be operable with the limited dexterity afforded by spacesuit gloves, necessitating ergonomic designs that facilitate easy handling and manipulation.
3. Tool Parameters (maximum) - 25 x 25 x 25 cmThe development of such multi-purpose tools also opens the door to greater autonomy for astronauts, reducing their dependence on mission control for every minor task.Teams are requested to use any open-source 3D modeling software. Based on our research we recommend OnShape. In the resources section, you will find guides and other handy publicly available media to help understand more about the general situation that stands to help you crack this problem statement.
COMPETITION Details
Competition Deliverables | Judging Parameters | Important Dates | Awards/Distinctions
GravityGames 2.0 SEDS SL 2024 will run from 1st August '24 to 20th September '24.Much like a hackathon, GG 2.0 requires its participants to submit unique yet definitive team deliverables at the end of the competition period.These deliverables are as follows - Team Presentation, Whitepaper, .STL file of the designed tool.
Teams will be judged based on defined categories qualitatively to reach an opinion based on the extent of sophistication and effort put into designing, documenting, and delivering your work in GG 2.0.GitHub accounts will be created for the registered teams in late August to document your work for posterity.The SUBMISSION FORM has 4 unique sections. The deliverable section is not required to be filled during the initial team registration - this is indicated by ensuring that those fields are not necessary for the initial submission. The Google form is editable and the TEAM LEADER should include the team deliverables by the announced deadline; tentatively mid-August.Categories are as follows:
1) General
2) Team Presentation
3) Whitepaper
4) Design Philosophy
5) Manufacturing and Application
6) Virtual Design
7) NoveltyEach category ranges from 1 to 10 grade points. Judges can grade the team deliverables from these points qualitatively which will be quantitatively added to decide the team's standing in GravityGames 2.0; equivalent to a PERFORMANCE SCORE. Additionally, the best-performing teams per CATEGORY will earn the Best Team in said category.In GravityGames 2.0, teams are encouraged to strive and focus on one of the following awards, to help narrow down their goals with this design project. As always, teams are welcome to try and work towards more than one award/distinction.a. Best Multi-tasking instrument
b. Most Creative Design
c. Best Team Presentation
d. Best WhitepaperThe cherry on top of the cake is that SEDS SL will ensure that the top 5 teams with the highest PERFORMANCE SCORE will have their designs 3D printed by our domestic partner.Information about the Judges will be shared in August.
IMPORTANT DATES1. 1st August 2024: GravityGames 2.0 SEDSSL 2024 is launched
2. 15th August 2024: Judges are announced
3. 20th September 2024: Submission Form closes
4. 21st September 2024: Judging Week begins
5. 27th September 2024: Winning Teams are announced
6. October 2024: Best performing teams receive their 3D printed designs
Lanka
3D Printing
Lanka 3D Printing has graciously agreed to provide the best-performing teams per category and overall the opportunity to 3D print the tools designed in GravityGames 2.0. They are a startup 3D printing company founded in January 2019 based in Sri Lanka that strives to help their customers manufacture parts using 3D printing with the best quality/price ratio.Upon completion of GravityGames 2.0 SEDS SL 2024, the winning teams will be approached with Information on the next steps to 3D print their winning designs.
ABOUT GRAVITYGAMES
AND ITS FUTURE
GravityGames 2.0 and 3.0 (yet to be announced) encourage greater undergraduate participation of SEDS members and aid in the commercialization of the space industry.GravityGames 1.0 began in San Fransisco, with a group of high school students. The objective being, to design and additively manufacture a toy that is to be played in zero gravity. The project titled StarCatcher was an immense success, that was 3D printed and additively manufactured to be played aboard the ISS.
Undergraduate competitions are some of the greatest motivators for future engineers. The philosophy of GravityGames; is to explore additive manufacturing and 3D printing values. GG 2.0 builds on those values to ask a wider question - can a multi-purpose tool revolutionize space exploration?Through competitions that inspire students to think further and farther than what they have experienced and what they know. The idea is to solve a question that does not have a right answer but rather, an opportunity for them to think outside the box together.The ultimate goal of GravityGames is to present the designs of its participants at the International Space Station Research & Development Conference 2025. We are excited about the possibilities your participation will create and bring to life.
SEDS Sri Lanka
National Circuit
Our first national circuit of GravityGames 2.0 will be hosted SEDS Sri Lanka.
In the future, national circuits will allow and encourage larger and more targeted opportunities for participation. SEDS national chapters are invited to indicate their interest through email to host their GravityGames 2.0!SEDS Sri Lanka is Sri Lanka's leading Space Exploration Organization, helping students educate and engage in Space-related topics and projects. The national chapter is open to school students island-wide, via SEDS Juniors, and undergraduates across 16 universities and growing.SEDS SL hosts a spectrum of events annually, for its 8 Divisions at a Local and Global scale and now has partnered with the GravityGames 2.0 initiative to add another exciting design challenge to its roster of competitions for its members.
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