NASA Seeks Geniuses and Visionaries

Dotnaught writes "The NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts has put out a call for 'revolutionary ideas to advance the Vision for Space Exploration.' Would-be visionaries are invited to submit their ideas by February 13, 2006, as explained in this Call for Proposals. Phase 1 grants range from $50K to $75K. Phase 2 grants go up to $400K. Sample grand visions include how to create a 'self-sustaining, human presence throughout the solar system' and 'truly autonomous robotic operations for exploration and habitation.'" If any Slash users end up with the grants, we call dibs on interviews.

Comments

My idea

[SpaceAdmiral]

I think there should be a space shuttle that doesn't use foam.

Re:My idea

[Mr. Slippery]

They used to have a much better foam but due to some enviromental concerns they had to stop using it.

That's a popular meme spread by the likes of Rush Limbaugh, but the truth is the Columbia Accident Investigation Board found that the section of foam that broke off and damaged Columbia had been made with freon.

This idea that the foam was just fine before we made it freon-free is just more bullshit from the "loot and pollute" segment of the far right. Shame on them for trying to use the deaths of the Columbia crew to prop up their anti-ecology agenda.

You can take my idea and run with it!

[Anonymous Coward]

Genetically modify humans for space travel. Characteristics include low gravity condition and extended life DNA programming. As soon as I get off of this LSD trip I will try to submit it.

Obligatory

[SpinJaunt]

Not exactly rocket science is it? oh..

Re:Who doesn't?

[lawpoop]

How do you find out if someone is a genius or visionary in the course of an interview? I think a true genius or visionary would come off as a nut, or at least someone who is unable to work in a team, in an interview. It seems to me that the interview process is designed to filter out geniuses and visionaries.

This is the sort of thing we were trained for.

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm an astrophysicist, currently not working in academia. This is the sort of thing we dream of - the opportunity to pitch our ideas to someone who is interested in and understands the value of science.
 
I once had a high tech compnay tell me they "didn't have much call for physics", I didn't have the heart to tell them it was physics than made their computers work and not magic.
 
I know I'll be working on my ideas to submit. Thanks for the chance NASA!

Re:Who doesn't?

[mboverload]

> what large organization *doesn't* look for geniuses and visionaries.

The RIAA? Do I win?

I've Gotten Two...

[Jordin]

Seriously. I've gotten two NIAC phase 1 awards; the final report on one has been cited previously on Slashdot here. The other was for an interstellar propulsion concept; details here

NIAC has put out these calls once or twice a year since the late 90's. It's a cool organization, and I'm not saying that just because they've given me grants -- they've funded lots of really good work in many fields. Now if only NASA proper would follow up on more of it...

Re:Develop nanotech aggressively

[NitsujTPU]

No.

This is not a PR stunt.

Agencies do this all of the time, they just don't normally get FP'd on Slashdot. The people who usually respond to these things are university labs.

For instance, I am a research assistant, and worked under a similar proposal for the development of Artificial Intelligence. My advisor being the contractor under which the work was done.

The work is in multiple phases, with updates to the funding agency (DARPA) every year or so, and the money amounts are synonymous (though, DARPA has a lot more cash).

If you're looking for PR stunts, look at the DARPA Grand Challenge. No money up-front, and $2 million to the winning team out of a field of over 200 teams, with no cash going out the first year.

For DARPA research, those are bargain basement prizes. That said, I took part, and it was a wonderful experience. Perhaps PR stunts aren't so bad.

Re:Who doesn't?

[daigu]

Probably because most jobs that interview don't require geniuses or visionaries. They need people that work.

Ever been to a meeting with someone who thinks their job is to think outside the box? Half of it is sheer undoable mental masturbation. The parts that can be done are generally thought to be the work of someone else. Geniuses and visionaries are a dime a dozen; great ideas are a given. Give me someone that can actually implement their great idea or vision (or can even be bothered to concieve of a process to make the idea tangible) and then we have something to talk about.

Re:Who doesn't?

[Ignignot]

You seem to subscribe to the idea that geniuses and visionaries are unable to handle other people, working in a team, or maybe even a workplace environment. While this may be true of people with Aspareger's (sp?) syndrome, it certainly does not need to be the case. And also, what good are geniuses and visionaries if they cannot communicate well enough to get their ideas across and implemented? I'd take someone who can get things done over someone who has good ideas but can't ever make them work.