NASA and Etsy Organize Handmade Contest

The American space agency has teamed up with online marketplace Etsy to bring a new competition to the website's largely-female fanbase. The winner gets to attend a NASA shuttle launch.

Etsy has a very solid fan base, numbering around 5.5 million users, of which more than 96 percent are women. The site is a portal for selling objects made through handmade arts and crafts.

NASA wants to target this segment of the population, which is believed to have little to no connections with the space industry and the American space program.

As part of the understanding between the two organizations, the space agency's role will be to promote its own programs and plans for the future to the millions of users accessing Etsy.

On the other hand, the website will award the winner of the “Space Craft” contest a $500 shopping spree on the website, as well as the necessary funds for attending a space shuttle launch.

NASA and Etsy decided that the winner would attend the February 2011 take-off of space shuttle Endeavor, which will be conducting its final flight to the International Space Station (ISS).

The shuttles take off from Launch Pad 39A at the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), which is located in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Those who want to participate in the new contest need to sign up their entries in one of two categories, 2D or 3D. For the latter, only wearable art and soft sculptures are accepted.

The rule of the competition, which can be found here, indicate that 2D entries may include computer generated prints, drawings, prints, mixed media, photographs and paintings.

“The contest reaches an important audience NASA would like to better engage to help share the excitement that is America's space program,” explains Doug Comstock.

“These craftspeople will bring new perspectives that can help communicate NASA's mission and inspire our next generation of explorers in new ways,” adds the official.

Cornstock is the director of Partnerships, Innovation and Commercial Space division at NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist, which is located at the agency's Headquarters, in Washington DC.

He adds that Etsy members and visitors will analyze all entries by November 2. Selections will then be assessed by a panel containing Etsy and NASA representatives.

The winning entry will be selected and announced by February 1, 2011, SpaceRef reports.