NASA Space Settlement Design Contest 2026
National Space Society
📌About the event
The NASA Space Settlement Design Contest is a global competition that asks students to imagine a permanent home in space. Participants must design the structural, social, and logistical frameworks for a self-sustaining colony. This competition is highly regarded by science universities worldwide and has a massive participation rate from Indian schools and colleges.
ℹ️ Event Details
- Category: Academic and Science
- Organizer: National Space Society (NSS) in cooperation with NASA
- Eligibility: Students in Grade 6 to 12 and Undergraduates
- Team Size: Individual, Small Group (2-5), or Large Group (6+)
- Effort Level: Extremely High
- Submission Type: Technical Research Paper (PDF)
📅 Important Dates
- Registration Deadline: 15 February, 2027 (Open for 2026 entries)
- Submission Date: 15 February, 2027
- Results Announcement: March 2027
- Mode: Online Submission
🏆 Prize Details and Value
- Prize Type: Global Recognition and Travel
- Prize Amount or Value: Invitation to present at the ISDC 2027 Conference (Chicago)
- Certificates: Official NASA and NSS Participation/Winner Certificates
- Visibility and Showcase: Top entries archived in the NASA Ames Research Center website
- Additional Perks: Meeting with astronauts and aerospace leaders
🎯 What You Will Do
- Research the physics of artificial gravity and radiation shielding in space.
- Draft a comprehensive plan for oxygen, food, and water systems in a colony.
- Develop a social and economic model for the space settlement’s inhabitants.
- Write a detailed technical report with diagrams and mathematical citations.
📦 Resources and Support Available
- NSS Roadmap: A 50-year plan for space settlement as a guide.
- Student Archive: Access to winning entries from the past 20 years.