Collaborate to design a settlement in space.
Joining students from other schools, your fictional company will spend the day working on a space settlement design and present it to judges. No prior preparation is required — your brief is revealed at the event.
Your school team stays together and will be paired with other school teams to form a larger company. You will choose student leaders, divide the work and answer a client’s request for a space settlement. Volunteer CEOs and technical advisers are on hand to help you understand the challenge; the decisions and design are yours.
Find
your role
- Structures Design how the settlement is built.
- Operations Plan power, life support and logistics.
- Human Factors Think about health, safety and daily life.
- Mission Systems Plan the mission and its supporting technology.
- Business and Marketing Cost and explain the proposal.
- Presentation and visual communication Make the ideas clear to the judges.
Whether your strengths are in science, drawing, writing, organising or speaking, your skills can contribute to the company’s design and presentation.
The journey
-
Stage 1: Regional or Digital Heat
First, enter a regional or digital heat.
-
Stage 2: National Final
A winning team from each heat goes to the National Final.
-
Stage 3: International Competition
From the Final, twelve students are selected to represent the UK at the ISSDC.
The 2027 international event is in London.
Taking part
Students in Years 10–13 can enter through a school team. If your school is not taking part, an independent team may be possible with a parent or guardian as the supervising adult. Ask your school first, or contact UKSDC for help forming a team.
You will need a laptop, a packed lunch and plenty to drink. School uniform is not required.