Information

ASTORIA Space Settlement Design Competition

…space travel to the asteroid belt beyond Mars

School teams design the first space settlement, 'ASTORIA' to be located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Teams will have to consider a range of issues including structural engineering, transportation, human factors, safety, communications, food production, and energy requirements.

The key aspects of the competition are to provide students with the opportunity to participate in a design simulation that exposes them to the challenges of working as a member of a team to achieve an infrastructure development that is complex, challenging requires innovation and imagination leading to broader student interest and further education and career choices in science, technology and mathematics.

Following “Star Trek”, there is an inherent interest in space colonization and exploration that continues to excite and stimulate everyone’s imagination. The competition for students has no “upper limit” and students are encouraged to take their turbo-charged

 imaginations to the brink of their capabilities. There are wide ranging benefits for teachers to look at and anticipate the technological revolutions that will happen and provide excitement to classroom instruction. Sponsoring organizations have the opportunity to contribute to the broader education of the community.

Secondary school teams must first submit a registration form per the instructions at http://spaceset.org, and  http://www.uksdc.org.uk. Teams will prepare and submit proposals for their designs for the “Foundation Society” and will receive outline design requirements of the Foundation. Teams will then be selected to attend the First UK finalist competition in London. The winning team will then attend the international finals competition at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston.

To help them accomplish this challenging task, each semi-finalist team is provided with a manger from industry or a space agency to serve as a company CEO, and then team members receive technical and management training to prepare them for the competition. They must utilize mathematics, understand and account for the physics of space and design, understand chemistry and biology of living systems, design and overall structure, define sources of construction materials, specify use of interior space, describe vehicles used for transportation, determine sources of electrical power and water, design computer and robotics systems, show examples of community design, and provide estimated costs and schedules for completion of the project. The competition concludes with the teams’ presentations of briefings describing their designs to a panel of very critical judges.

The winner of the United Kingdom Regional Space Settlement Competition is guaranteed a place in the 14th International Space Settlement Design Competition held in July 2007 at Johnson Space Center, USA, with all expenses paid. The 2006 International Final included nine international teams, four from the US, three from India, one from Australia and one from Malaysia. The organizers of the first United Kingdom Regional Space Settlement Competition have obtained a guarantee from the International Competition organizers that the winning United Kingdom team will compete in the International competition. This is a significant guarantee, as without it, any United Kingdom entrant would be required to compete in the international qualifying activity against up to 30 other international entrants (many with years of experience) just to gain a place in this prestigious event.

Benefits for Participants

For students: The UKSDC is more than a competition, it is a journey. This journey may not only take you to the finals in London, but to Johnson Space Center as the winning UK representative! However, the competition is not just about winning and prestige, but about developing and utilizing real world skills. It's not about how smart you are, but how well you can apply what you know, your openness to learning, your work ethic, and your ability to work as a member of a team.

The UKSDC is far more than an academic or intellectual pursuit, it is a challenge that involves development and application of intra-personal, social and communication skills as well. What you can learn from participating in this unique experience is best expressed from past participants.

For teachers: The UKSDC is an industry simulation experience. It not only gives teachers the opportunity to lead students on an exciting learning journey, but also the opportunity link student learning to its application in the real world. While there is a strong focus on Science and Mathematics, the development of a substantial proposal in response to the Request For Proposal (RFP) requires students to utilize knowledge and skills from a broad range of curriculum areas.

The UKSDC provides teachers with the opportunity to challenge students and extend their learning beyond the normal bounds of the classroom. There are no answers to be found in textbooks. Teachers and students involved in the challenge are on a learning journey together - it is a team approach.

For government: The competition provides a ‘real’ venue for stimulating interest in science in the UK and provide national support for the UK finalist during the 14^th international competition. Provide a country wide spirit supporting the winning UK team at the international finals. It is in accord with the PM’s ‘light of science’ vision necessitated by decreased UK student interest in the sciences. It stimulates students and teachers and connects them with industry and university personnel.

For Universities: Team building for planetary scientists, physicists, engineer that will benefit the ExoMars sample return mission. Engender industrial links. Develop outreach in areas that truly spark the public’s imagination, interest and support for physical sciences. The process will stimulate direct links between secondary schools, teachers and students and university staff.

•  THE FOUNDATION SOCIETY

• History of NORTHDONNING HEEDWELL THE SIMULATED COMPANY

• QUOTES FROM PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS

• Synopsis

• PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS COMPETITIONS

Judging panel at the international finals in Houston	Winning team with Anita and Dick the co-founders of the competition