NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) currently needs help from space fans to name their latest space robot that will fly around the International Space Station (ISS) in 2017. The lucky winner will also get to enjoy a cash prize.

NASA officials have devised a contest that will not only help name their latest autonomous flying robot in space but also design a mission patch that will be launched at the ISS.The first place winner of this contest will receive US$1,000. NASA officials announced the challenge during New York Comic Con last October 11.

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Jason Crusan, director of NASA's Advanced Exploration Systems division, told space fans that the name "free-flying robot" sounds boring that's why NASA needs help naming this droid.

Apart from the first place cash prize, second, third and even fourth place winners will also receive a cash prize of US $250 each where NASA has collaborated with Topcoder in organizing the challenge.

The new robot may also appear like a probe out of the "Star Wars" movies where it can appear like a small sphere-shaped droid that will be fan powered to shuttle itself in and about the International Space Station. 

This free-flying robot will also congregate with other autonomous flying robots that are already at the space station calles SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites) that are orbiting the outpost.

This program has been in effect for several years now. It was specifically designed to test and check robotics hardware and software in minimal gravity conditions. Astronauts can control these SPHERES via remote control, and at the same time, can be made to move and work freely, autonomously.

In order to participate in naming this new robot that will accompany the other SPHERES aboard the ISS, space fans are required to register at Topcoder. Deadline for proposed robot names and designs ends on October 27. Winners will be finally announced on November 2.

TagsNASA Needs Your Help Naming a Free-Flying Robot at the International Space Station, NASA, free flying robots ISS, ISS, name robots NASA ISS, NY comic con, robots in space, Robots