Announcement - Hack A Day Prize - WIN a trip to SPACE! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 02:00:06 pm
content: Hack A Day are running the biggest electronics hardware design contest ever. The winner gets to fulfill every nerds fantasy, a trip to space!Dave is going to be one of the judges, so start sucking up now...The contest is to design an "open connected device". So basically anything that is open source (as possible), and connected to something (as possible). The rules are quite open, use your imagination, and the sky is NOT the limit!http://hackaday.io/prize

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 02:10:00 pm
content: +1 for the judging. Good to see that it is an international prize as well.

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 02:20:40 pm
content: Man, I can barely get my own affairs in order. I'll never get to space.

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 02:26:49 pm
content: Dang , its a tough choice , not an engineer so coming up with a good idea ?I have never really been a SUCKER-UPPER , but for a trip to spaceDave you get all the top labels , pres. , king , saint , god etc.And that's aside from the additives , great guy , funny , smart etc.I'l be waiting for my gate pass in the mailJohn

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 02:40:43 pm
content: Is it a two way ticket?I did once the Zero G flight. I realized at the time that this is the closer I will get to space. It was fun, we first did low gravity sessions (you lay on your tummy and get up with one hand push) and then went to full zero gravity with people and toys flying around. During the high gravity portion they did not allow us to stand. The explanation was that if you fall, it's faster than you can respond, the instructor was dropping small balls to the ground and they fell unnaturally fast, lifting a hand felt like wights exercise. A few people were sea sick from the beginning and just stayed sitting throughout the flight.BTW, what we call 'space' is not really space. For example, if you go up to the ISS, you increased your distance from the center of Earth by about %6. Engineering speaking, you are still at earth surface radius +/-6%. ;-)

author: GeorgeOfTheJungle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 03:07:38 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on April 28, 2014, 02:40:43 pm

author: JoannaK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 04:02:12 pm
content: Uuh. that's going to be *HARD* .. Trying to even dream a Open HW thingy that could impress people like Adafruit, Dave, Bunny and othersPS: Nice touch at the end the video.

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 04:14:30 pm
content: Great contest! Love the idea!I have to ask though, in the rules:QuoteNow, I can understand North Korea and such... but Italy and Quebec?

author: szczys
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 04:39:04 pm
content: QuoteIt's a legal thing. Turns out every country has different rules for contests. So when you run an international contest you must research, and adhere to the rules for all the countries whose residents can participate in the contest. This often requires legal filings. But in some cases there are import restrictions (prizes) and language restrictions (everything has to be translated into 1 or more languages mandated by that country).

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 04:55:16 pm
content: Exactly, some countries prohibit gambling without a permit, or games of chance, or lotteries that are not licensed. Certain have restrictions on the entry, requiring such things as a ticket, or other paper proof of enty, and that a competition is registered with the relevant authority. Others have legal or religious prohibitions.Remember as well the prize may well be taxed when you bring it into the country, and the winner of that prize is responsible for both the declaration and payment of any duties or taxes as relevant.

author: rollatorwieltje
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 07:08:45 pm
content: Wait a minute, a trip to space costs 200k USD? Is that a lawn chair taped to a second hand ICBM?

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 07:16:23 pm
content: Quote from: rollatorwieltje on April 28, 2014, 07:08:45 pmParachute is an optional extra, and it is strictly BYOO ( Bring Your Own Oxygen) as well. you are not strapped to the outside though, they just put you in there instead of one of the test warheads. Outside they would have to pay the greybeards to reprogram the computer to compensate for your offset drag. Extra as well for a window during boost.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 07:17:57 pm
content: Quote from: rollatorwieltje on April 28, 2014, 07:08:45 pmYou pay extra for oxygen.Your lawn chair question reminds me of Lawnchair Larry (a true story).

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 07:51:29 pm
content: Ah, Lawnchair Larry:QuoteAs for the flight - is it something like a ZeroG experience, or ...? I mean, I thought going into space costs $10m+. Mark Shuttleworth paid $20mn for the privilege. Presumably, you have to train for some days as well. And undergo brainwashing to prevent flat earth theory leaking out.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 08:00:13 pm
content: Space is ( depending on the definition) pretty much any height above 60-100km straight up. $20m is to buy a trip on a Soyuz capsule and accommodation on the ISS, including the most important part, a lift back on the same Soyuz, but excludes things like a space suit, meals and water. You do have to share on the trip up and back with 2 others who will be your very best friends afterwards, as you will know them so well after a few months of training. added bonus is you do learn Russian both written and spoken, so afterwards you can read "War and Peace" in the original language.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 08:12:53 pm
content: Might be thishttp://www.virgingalactic.com/booking/But they claim:QuoteDot They allow to choose soyuz flying to ISS?

author: lapm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 08:23:30 pm
content: Hmm, just one question. Do i have to came back down too?

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 08:28:03 pm
content: Quote from: lapm on April 28, 2014, 08:23:30 pmLooks bad on the advertising if you do not walk away a happy customer.Unless you are the late James Doohan of course.

author: scientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 12:41:56 am
content: Sounds like an interesting contest. I'm preoccupied with another one at the moment so I probably won't enter, but it seems like an interesting contest. Aren't SpaceShipTwo tickets $250k though? That $198k could buy a nice college education.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 12:42:32 am
content: I would probably take the $198k myself...

author: scientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 12:47:26 am
content: A ripoff of a SPHERE (http://ssl.mit.edu/spheres/) that works in Earth gravity, has an Arduino taped to it, and is spraypainted with the HaD logo would probably win if it connected to the Internet.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 01:16:25 am
content: Quote from: scientist on April 29, 2014, 12:41:56 amYes, it will cost Supply Frame a quarter of a million.I'm very surprised at their wording "the carrier of your choice". What's to stop the winner saying they want to hitch a ride with the ruskies now for 10's of millions, and then sue Supply Frame when they don't cough up

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 03:58:22 am
content: Putting aside the ridiculous assumption that I could actually win.When would it be likely that Virgin Galactic or one of the 'other carriers' could actually take me into space?

author: scientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 04:23:32 am
content: Quote from: HackedFridgeMagnet on April 29, 2014, 03:58:22 amNot very soon. Virgin Galactic has had about 200 people on the waitlist for 5 years and nothing has changed much, so the winner probably won't go to space for a while.

author: Dago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 04:59:17 am
content: I have to say the main prize does seem really weird.The "space" trips with russian fighter jets to 30km cost more like 20k and nobody is selling any other space trips right now. Except waiting lists for Virgin galactic and such but like you guys noticed even they seem to cost more than 200k...Also the prizes seem awfully valuable for a website like Hackaday which makes like 10-20k/month (or so I've heard). But no mention of any sponsors? Maybe they got Elon Musk to sponsor the competition anonymously, who knows...

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 05:18:09 am
content: Quote from: Dago on April 29, 2014, 04:59:17 amHack-A-Day is owned by Supply Frame, who also own a bunch of other services, findchips.net, datasheet.net, eeboard.com.... They are also long-time advertisers here, actually the TI ad (in Russian for some reason) I see at the top of this page is being served from ads.supplyframe.com, so I'm guessing that they have some healthy contracts for ad impressions supply to some big names :-)Anyway, seems it's more a push for their fairly new collaborative projects platform (hackaday.io), one assumes that at some point that will gain some monetisation aspects. Got to spend money to make money.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 05:50:51 am
content: Quote from: Dago on April 29, 2014, 04:59:17 amI wasthisclose to going to Russia about 15 years ago and taking a ride in a Mig 29 Fulcrum or a Mig-25 Foxbat (I couldn't decide). Was only about $19K back then including airfare.QuoteHack A Day is owned by Supply Frame. They have squillions of dollars. That reminds me, I should up my forum sponsorship fee

author: robbak
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 06:04:12 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on April 29, 2014, 01:16:25 amSpaceX, I choose you.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 06:20:35 am
content: I would take the cash also..... Just from a practical point of view, if you have something good enough to win, you have better things to do with your time than sit in a rocket plane for a little while and watch the earth get farther away and then close again. Not like you are going on An EVA or docking with something. Hahahaha.. I can just picture it.. While you are up there unravel this Supply Frame advertising banner/screen that can be seen from the ground and place it in orbit.. Thanks.. Now ask me to be a genuine astronaut when we get back in the manned flight business (Hopefully) and sure.. I mean, I dobut they would want me, but if I could actually offer anything useful sign me up! Otherwise.... That much cash vs an uncomfortable day trip.... Gimmie the cash.

author: Dago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 07:55:09 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on April 29, 2014, 05:50:51 amBut still the competition is targeted very to this rather specific and niche market (electronics "makers"/hobbyists), doesn't make sense to spend that much money on a small audience. Maybe I just have skewed view of the size of the audience...That combined with the weird main prize (currently non-existant space flight).

author: Artlav
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 02:39:59 pm
content: I'm completely knocked out by "that are connected to something" requirement.What the ever living... what?"Is the entry a connected device and is that “connectedness” meaningful to the function"What does that mean?If it's connected to a power supply, would that count?It would be very meaningful to the function.This requirement just does not compute.Can anyone explain?

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 03:25:24 pm
content: Quote from: Artlav on April 29, 2014, 02:39:59 pmGlad I'm not the only one. I can only assume they mean it must have some fundamental necessity to be acessible over the internet

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 05:17:56 pm
content: Quote from: sleemanj on April 29, 2014, 03:25:24 pmseems safe to assume they mean "connected to something [over the internet]" and not "connected to something [with string or duct tape]."the best and worst thing about this contest are the very vague rules. someone out there is going to have a bit more genius than everyone else and create something truly awesome, and everyone who gets butthurt by the awesome idea that they couldn't think of will blame the vague contest rules for lack of guidance.

author: lemmegraphdat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 08:51:33 pm
content: "Final Five"... it has a ring to it.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 10:15:56 pm
content: Quote from: Rigby on April 29, 2014, 05:17:56 pmYou nailed it!As a judge (even though we haven't been instructed in the finer details (yet?), "connected" could mean anything you want.If you come up with a scheme to network 10,000 live streaming HD cameras over a local area network of literally wet string, then that might be looked upon favorably, even though it has nothing to do wit the Internet.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 10:18:33 pm
content: Quote from: lemmegraphdat on April 29, 2014, 08:51:33 pmThey MUST make it a final 7, and recreate this famous photo.And if you don't get the reference then you are ineligible to enter!

author: violet
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 10:26:06 pm
content: I would imagine it's a way to try and push the "internet of things" concept where everyday objects can be connected to / from. Personally I hate the intonation of what that could end up becoming (i'd hate someone else to be able to see what time I switch my alarm clock off every morning - and it could happen, linked up to your g+ or facebook profile etc... i don't do fb and have limited g+ account as it is). But yeah, there are plenty of applications that it could work for.Whens the closing date?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 10:29:03 pm
content: Quote from: Dago on April 29, 2014, 07:55:09 amElement 14 have spent more on The Ben Heck Show.

author: electrolux
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2014, 10:13:22 am
content: Do Australians have a different space above them Dave was over exited, I would much rather the 3D printer, yes really.

author: DeepSOIC
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 26, 2014, 11:28:53 pm
content: Quote from: Artlav on April 29, 2014, 02:39:59 pmMe too =)Actually, in the official rules it reads:QuoteThis sounds pretty strict. And rules out my super-awesome project idea from the competition. Wondering if I should try anyway.BTW, this is my first post. Hello EEVBlog forum!

author: Legit-Design
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2014, 08:24:46 am
content: didn't see this posted hereHack A Day Prize InterviewYou talk about job interviews and bringing stuff with you, what if the interview is with some HR people, or even worse, with two (2) HR people and they launch questions all the time. Should one show hardware or other projects to them, when they obviously don't care and don't know shit about anything. Any tips how to deal with stupid people when everything they say is stupid? Should one just agree with stupid people so they leave you alone?

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2014, 02:01:18 pm
content: Quote from: Legit-Design on July 11, 2014, 08:24:46 amAre... are you serious? If you're interviewing for a technical position andHRis doing the interviewing, imagine how it's going to be working inside that company... Run away. You do NOT want that position.