Well hello there!
We're thrilled with the rapid growth of this community, and would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone just catching up with the High Performance Fast Computing Challenge! It's worth noting that some of the surge is likely to due the excellent press coverage the competition has received thus far. Check out our press page to see articles in New York Times, Popular Mechanics, and other well-known publications.
Notes of Clarification on the Competition
We know you've had a lot of questions regarding eligibility for this competition as well how to properly petition for access to the software. First of all - thanks for your sincere interest! We're really excited where this competition is headed. Now, to address your questions:
1) On eligibility
In order to be eligible for FUN3D and participate in the ARMD HPFCC you must be a US Person (this includes US Citizens, Permanent Residents/Green Card holders and those in the U.S. as a protected political asylee or under amnesty); currently on US soil; and age 18 or older.
2) Directions for accessing the FUN3D software
FUN3D can be requested at https://software.nasa.gov/software/LAR-18968-1
FUN3D Application Guidance
FUN3D has strict export laws so only US Persons may apply for the software and compete in this challenge.
- Use only personal non-affiliated emails like Gmail or Yahoo. Company or .edu emails should not be used since you are competing as an individual and they imply affiliation.
- There is a question in the application that asks you to explain the purpose for which the software is to be used. You may simply put: “HeroX HPFCC Challenge”
- You should plan to install the Fun3D on your own computer, NOT one provided by your company or school.
- No other individuals besides yourself should be using this software and you should answer affirmative to the question asking if it will be used in-house only.
- You should use your full name for the Recipient Name (Company/ University) question. Do NOT attempt to list a company or university.
- Once your request has been accepted you will get an email notification informing you will need to sign the Software User Agreement. Once you log back into the NASA Software portal and you should see your request in the Pending state, there will be “action” button with an option to sign the SUA. This does not mean your application is complete. Once you sign, the final step is to verify your address.
- Once you sign the software user agreement (SUA) you will be sent a letter via the US mail which will contain a passcode. You may respond to the email provided in the letter and include the passcode. After you send the email which includes the passcode you should receive instructions to download the software within one business day.
You will need to get started on this right away, as this approval process will take several weeks. While you are waiting for the software request to be processed you can download and read the FUN3D documentation and manual.
