Local team helps take 1st prize from NASA 3-D-printing competition

A team that included Chattanooga’s Branch Technology took first place at NASA’s 3-D-Printed Habitat Challenge. (Photo: Joel Kowsky, NASA)

A team that included Chattanooga’s Branch Technology recently won $250,000 from NASA, taking first place in the agency’s competition to build a 3-D-printed habitat for deep space exploration.

Jim Reuter, NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate deputy associate administrator, presented teams with the awards at an Aug. 26 ceremony.

The 3-D-Printed Habitat Challenge is designed to advance construction technology needed to create sustainable housing solutions for Earth and beyond, according to a news release.

“The advancement and innovation in additive construction that we’ve seen from these teams is inspiring,” Reuter said in a prepared statement. “Meeting the technology goals of this challenge proves that competition can push boundaries, and their work puts us that much closer to preparing the way for deep space exploration.”

Teams had to develop fundamental 3-D-printing technology needed to create a structurally sound habitat, including the printer itself and construction materials, according to a news release.

Competitors had to print beams, cylinders and domes that judges analyzed and compressed to failure to determine scores and prize awards. The competition activities were open to the public, and many industry leaders and local school groups attended the event, also according to a news release.

Branch Technology came to Chattanooga to participate in 2015’s Gig Tank.

Countless national publications, including Fortune and Inc.com, have featured the company, which is located in the INCubator at the Hamilton County Business Development Center, which the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce operates.

Click here for more background about the company and here for more information about the NASA competition.

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