Fly Me to the Moon and Let Me Play Among the Stars – and if you can’t make it in person having your photo up there would be pretty neat every time you look at the night sky with Frank Sinatra crooning in the background.
That possibility is being offered by Mouser Electronics and celebrity engineer Grant Imahara. They have launched a new Empowering Innovation Challenge as part of the Empowering Innovation Together program that explores the topic of Space Exploration. This challenge, now underway, partners with Astrobotic’s upcoming commercial mission to the Moon. The grand prize will be having your photo rest on the Moon’s surface in an Astrobotic MoonMail capsule. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to make your mark on the Moon without having to become an astronaut.
The new Empowering Innovation Space Challenge, accessible through the Mouser’s website, marks a historic event in space as the first commercial lunar landing. To prove their genius, entrants must submit an online photo and answer in 100 words or less what technology they believe best represents the world today.
The engineering community will share ideas online and receive votes for which idea and photo should travel aboard Astrobotic’s Griffin Lander to the Moon. Grant Imahara will review the top six in votes and select two lucky winners. The new Space Challenge runs now until May 31, 2015. As an added incentive, the first 200 entries will receive a “Letting My Genius Prevail” T-shirt.
“Without going through an extensive astronaut training program, this is the closest most of us will ever get to the surface of the Moon,” states Grant Imahara. “It’s a history in the making event for anyone to be able to send a package to the Moon. So many different types of payloads are possible: scientific experiments, research apparatus, telecommunications equipment, and the like. And YOUR picture could join them for generations to come!”
“This new Space Challenge is a great complement to our last two Robotic Challenges, and really takes it to even greater heights,” expressed Glenn Smith, Mouser President and CEO. “I can’t think of a more ultimate prize to capture and inspire the imaginations of engineers worldwide.”
“Astrobotic is excited to partner with Mouser on the Empowering Innovation Together Space Challenge,” says John Thornton, Astrobotic CEO. “It’s a great opportunity for participants to be excited about space travel and lunar exploration. We look forward to welcoming Mouser’s two MoonMail winners aboard our first mission.”
The Empowering Innovation Together Space Exploration Series and Challenge is co-sponsored by Platinum Program Partner Microsemi. Also joining in the sponsorship are Vishay Intertechnology and Phoenix Contact as Diamond-Level partners.
Well known in the engineering community, Grant Imahara has paired his engineering expertise with a Hollywood TV and film career. In addition to his roles on Mythbusters and Battlebots, Grant has worked on many famous robotic characters – including R2-D2 in the Star Wars prequels, The Late Late Show’s Craig Ferguson robot skeleton sidekick – Geoff Peterson, and the Energizer Bunny.
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