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Submission

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introduction
title
Thought...The Endless Frontier
short description
I thought it would be fun to use some characters to voice to my path to solving the Space Poop Challenge. Hope you enjoy the story!
Your Story
Please upload your story using the document and/or video fields below.
Please upload your story - document
Thought__The Final Frontier.pdf
What is your innovation?
I designed a self contained system to allow astronauts to be in a pressurized space suit (or even an unpressurized suit) and be able to eliminate waste to temporary storage bladders contained within their modified boots. The system handles moving waste from the body and transporting it without requiring gravity or any external vacuum supply that would compromise the air seal within the suit. As an extra feature, I also included a way to purge the stored waste from the storage bladders and still maintain pressure within the space suit. The advantages of this system is that it can operate with the MACES, the EMU (for space walks), and in pressurized rooms too.
Fill in the following one-sentence “mad lib”: A inspired my innovation of B; B is important because of C and has made D impact.
The limitless possibilities in space exploration inspired my innovation of the astronaut "Duty Boots" to remove waste; waste disposal is important because of health and has made a long term impact.
What was the motivation behind your innovation?
I looked at the current solutions used by NASA and figured I could at least think up something better than what they use now.
How does your story bring the "Wow Factor"?
I started very late in the challenge since it started in early October, but I did not know about it until late November. I entered on December 3 and had, what I think could very well be a winning solution, turned in by the December 20 close. In addition to figuring out my idea, I also had to learn enough about a 3D modeling tool called Blender to convey my idea in an understandable format. My solution went beyond solving the MACES suit waste handling, it is easily adapted to the EMU and to just normal astronaut everyday waste handling. Possibly preferred over the current Zero-G John.
Anything else you want to share?
Thanks to HeroX for providing such a valuable service of letting people who want to contribute solutions a place to have them seen.
The Incentive Challenge
Name of the incentive challenge related to your story.
NASA Space Poop Challenge
URL to the incentive challenge (if available)
https://herox.com/SpacePoop
Fill in the following one-sentence “mad lib”: The A challenge sought submissions to B. I accomplished this goal through C.
The NASA Space Poop Challenge sought submissions to solve a real "out of this world" problem. I accomplished this goal through researching the issues and breaking the problems down into manageable parts to solve one at a time.
If you convinced someone at a cocktail party they should enter an incentive challenge, what would you say?
Me: Hey, you know this party could be more fun without the small talk and instead kick around ideas on a HeroX challenge!
You: But my ideas are not good enough...are they?
Me You never know until you give it a try. Don't you ever see something and say to yourself "if I could do it my way, this problem would be solved"?
You: Oh yes...I do that all the time.
Me: Here is your chance to get your ideas out.
You: I think I will give it try. It will be fun talking about it at the next party!

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