Pipe/Wire Identifier

Nick

Age 15Toronto, Canada

Taking anything to space can be quite costly; and especially making a mistake on the space station. This device, which could be installed on any electronic equipment is weight free, therefore will not cost anything to take to space. This software will be able to identify important pipes/wires, and will eliminate the need to physically mark their locations. It can be installed on a portable device, which astronauts will use to move around in order to find the appropriate pipe/wire. It will have many other benefits as well, saving space on the ISS, taking away the need to take any unnecessary tools to space, making it easier to find the correct wires/pipes making the margin for error less, making it easier to attach items to the ISS, and most importantly allow for simpler repair on damaged wires/pipes.

See this brought to life!

Little Inventors team says

Super! What a clever idea. I'm sure when there is a fault on board the ISS it would be very difficult for the astronauts to detect where it is coming from, you just made their job much easier with the help of the Electrical, Water, Gas, and Heat Pipe/Wire Reader! Well done Nick.

Read 1 more expert comment

This idea has been brought to life

STEAMLabs were really enthused by Nick's idea - Director Andy Forest said:'This idea is genius! Can't wait to work on it!' They built a small model of a space station interior, and use Augmented Reality to add on the pipe/wire digitally as an overlay. Viewers are able to add the AR app to their own phones to experience it for themselves.

What our experts think!

Pierre Langlois, Sun-Earth System Sciences Program Manager

6 years ago

Hi Nick, that’s a great idea! I could see how this device could help locate key areas on the international space station, and how the ground support team could clearly tell the astronaut where to look when a problem is detected. Your invention is, in fact, an advanced version of the overlays used in space to perform robotic missions. Earlier in my career, I helped define overlays that the astronauts used when trying to capture payloads with the Canadarm 2 or with Dextre. Now, the technology is available to make those overlays much more useful, and locate important hidden locations! The astronauts could even get important data, like the status of an experiment, or knowing if a valve is open or closed, through your reader!
Keep inventing!