International Space Competition 2026
Arts and Business College of London
📌 About the Challenge
Inspired by NASA’s Lunar Gateway, participants must re-imagine orbital infrastructure for the Red Planet. Your design needs to address the harsh realities of Mars, including deep-space radiation, 20+ years of operational reliability, and the logistical needs of transitioning astronauts to the Martian surface.
ℹ️ Event Overview
- Category: Aerospace Engineering, STEM, and Space Architecture.
- Organizer: ABC London (Arts and Business College of London).
- Format: Digital Submission (Reports, Designs, or Presentations).
- Target: Students and young innovators worldwide.
- Team Size: Solo or small groups of up to 3 members.
- Cost: Free of charge (nominal administrative fees may apply in specific regions).
📅 Crucial 2026 Timeline
- Submissions Opened: March 1, 2026.
- Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026.
- Shortlisting (Top 10): June 1 – 14, 2026.
- Final Presentations: Week of June 15, 2026 (Online).
- Winners Announced: June 21, 2026.
- Status: Active & Open for Submissions.
🏆 Prize Pool & Rewards
The prizes focus on high-value educational opportunities and career advancement:
| Rank | Reward | Value / Detail |
| 🥇 1st Place | ABC London Foundation Course | Full course (Art, Business, or STEM) worth £17,000. |
| 🥈 2nd Place | Oxford Summer School Scholarship | July 2026 scholarship worth up to £6,000. |
| 🥉 3rd Place | Online Space Course | Specialized STEM learning worth up to £800. |
| 🎖️ 4th Place | Space Art Prints | High-end prints from artist Vivian worth £400. |
🎯 Participation Guidelines
- Eligibility: Open to students aged 12–19. Those under 16 require parental/teacher consent.
- Key Design Questions: 1. Adaptation: How do you modify a Lunar station for Martian orbit?2. Sustainability: How will you use Martian/Lunar resources to reduce Earth-dependency?3. Innovation: What new tech will maximize resilience while lowering costs?
- Judges: Features a stellar panel including retired Astronaut Rakesh Sharma (first Indian in space) and European Space Agency (ESA) reserve astronauts.