Students in the age group from five to 19 can give their ideas to NASA as per its invitation to help it design 3D containers that could be used in space. A series of ‘Future Engineers’ 3D Space Challenges has been launched by NASA, along with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Foundation, for students interested in solving real-world space exploration problems.

The 3D Space Container Challenge has marked the second in the series to provide students a chance to create and submit a digital 3D model of a container that can turn out beneficial for astronauts while in space.

Importance of containers in space could be understood from the fact that they are essential for helping roots to get water and leaves get CO2. Containers are also required for studying fruit flies. Fruit flies have the disease genes very similar to that of human beings.

“Since they only live about 50 days, we can study them to predict the effects of spaceflight on us over a lifespan or even over multiple generations”, the US space agency posted on its website.

Astronauts at the International Space Station are required to neatly store everything or tie them, otherwise they will float away. This brings the need to use containers for everything from spare parts, trash to food.