International Space Settlement Design Competition

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International Space Settlement Design Competition or more commonly known as "Spaceset" or "ISSDC", is an annual competition founded by Anita Gale and Dick Edwards, and is supported by NASA. The competition targets high school students and recreates the experience of working on an aerospace company's proposal team. The teams are asked to invision space colonies in accordance to a RFP (Request for Proposal).

The competition is divided into two parts. The preliminary teams are each given the same RFP and are given a few months to mail back a proposal. Out of these proposals, the top six teams are selected for the International Finals Competition along with the winners of the Asian Regional Competition and Australia Plus Regional Competition (in both 2005 and 2006, there was a 9th non-qualified school that was invited to even out team sizes). Previous to the 2007 competition, there was no Australia Plus Regional, and prior to 2005, there was no Asian Regional, so all teams were chosen together in the qualifying round. These eight teams are then paired up to form 4 teams of 24 students (in 2006 each team had 27 students), given fictional aerospace company names like Vulture Aviation, Grumbo Aerospace, Dougeldyne Flechtel, or Rockdonnell Aerospace. Prior to 2006, the competition was held at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, however higher launch activity with NASA's Return to Flight program made holding the competition on-site difficult. The teams are now sent to Houston, Texas to be given the final RFP and are then given 43 hours to complete a second proposal with their partnered team. Teams have come from India, Australia, Austria, and Romania, as well as the United States.

The competition uses an organization called the Foundation Society to create a futuristic setting for the competition. Often, the setting is around forty years in the future, and competitors must use plausible extensions of current technology in their proposals (i.e. no "cold fusion").

[edit] Components of Proposal

There are a total of five major sections. These sections are based on the various factors required in a colony's design and function.

Structure oversees the design and materials used to build the colony, as well as the overall design and allocation of interior and exterior spaces. Different structure details are included in this section; examples include the living spaces, the colony's corridors, spacecraft nodes and ports, and the sections of the colony for business or industry. The section details how the inside of the station looks like from the inside, the artificial gravity, and the method and schedule of construction. Methods of expansion and repairs are also objectives in this section.

Operations is where the choice and justification for the colony's location is explained. They also determine the colony's infrastructure and facilities, how different facilities are connected, and calculates on the logistics of food production, powering of the station, communications, waste management, day/night patterns and climate control. This section also projects the needs required for long-term projects, such as establishment of terraforming stations for expansion. Mining and supplies (both raw goods and agricultural) specifications are outlined by this section.

Human Factors designs the interior living space of the colony, making it as "Earth-like as possible". It gives the details of the colonist's needs, their education, the recreational opportunities, and the medical systems. Allocation of food and jobs is also determined by the Humans section. Anything that would involve the colonists has to be discussed and/or input with Humans.

Automations determines the automated factors of the station. The section must specify how robots will be used in the colony's construction, to transport people and materials, repair the colony, the computer networks, and the control of data. They design how computers will be used on the colony, how robots look like and are used, and the usage of these components during emergencies (solar flare, meteor shower, hull fracture.) This section also outlines the use of automated factors for the colony's functions.

Business Development is the section that is responsible for selling the proposal to the Foundation Society. All details of business endeavors must be described in depth, along with being connected to the overall mission of the settlement. This section works with other sections on commercial opportunities, industrial manufacturing costs, research development, and maintenance costs.

The proposal also includes a required section entitled "Schedule and Costs," which describes the construction schedule, detailed by location and stages, and total initial cost, detailed by major section and by stage of construction. An additional section known as "Special Studies" is added only during the finals, which includes plans for emergency procedures to react to two disaster scenarios, as given by the Request For Proposal (RFP). The scenarios outlined change year-to-year.

[edit] Colonies

The colonies involved in the competition appear on a regular cycle over four years, so that competitors will not have the advantage of formerly completing the same proposal personally. The colonies alternate between orbital(qualifying competition) and planetary(finals competition). The name of colonies are pre-determined, but entrants are permitted to modify the name, so long as three ground rules are followed:

The name must end with a suffix indicating its location. For example, Earth orbital facilities end with "-at"(At Terra), while Lunar colonies end with "-ol"(On Luna).
The name must begin with a letter indicating its position in the sequence of construction at each location. Alexandriat before Bellevistat before Columbiat, etc.
The name must be appropriate and relevant.

Earth Colonies (Orbiting)

Alexandriat (Earth-Sun L5) - A colony built in 2024 to start construction of a solar shield at Earth-Sun L1 to slow global warming. It is now a manufacturing center and maintains the solar shield with 10,000 people. Often referred to by background information, this colony is not part of the competition cycle. Name based on Alexander the Great.
Bellevistat (Earth-Sun L4) - A second colony built as a primary heavy manufacturing center in zero gravity. It is used for in-space manufacturing. Named as a reference to the Spanish phrase, Belle Vista, or beautiful view. Qualifying Competition, recurring.

Columbiat (Earth-Sun L5) - A third colony built as a "Singapore-in-orbit". It is also the new headquarters for the Foundation Society. This colony is meant to be the largest of the orbital colonies when it is operational in 2052. Name originally referenced the Columbia river and its trade qualities; it now has connotations concerning the space shuttle Columbia. Qualifying Competition, recurring.

Lunar Colonies

Alaskol- The first lunar colony built. It is used to supply the orbiting colonies with supplies with materials for manufacturing. It is also the center of lunar tourism, located on the near side of the moon. Named in reference to Alaska, a hostile territory that offered many benefits to the settlers. Finals Competition, recurring, 2004 cycle won by Edgewater High School and Budha Dal Public School (Indian Team).

Balderol- The second lunar colony which will serves the same function as Alaskol. It is located on the far side of the moon and acts as a scientific and industrial outpost. Named in reference to Balder, Norse god of beauty, indicating the unobstructed views from Balderol. Finals Competition, recurring, 2005 cycle won by Whitney High School and Budha Dal Public School (Indian Team).

Martian Colonies

Aresam - The first colony built outside of the Earth-Moon system, Aresam is a Mars orbital colony. The station acts as a port of entry to Mars and a staging area for future activities beyond and around Mars. Named after Ares, Greek god of war, who was the archetype for the Roman god Mars. Qualifying Competition, recurring.

Argonom - The first colony on the surface of Mars, this outpost acts as the primary outpost on Mars, focusing on tourism and industry. This colony also establishes scientific outposts. Named for Argo, the ship of Jason and the Argonauts. Finals Competition, recurring, 2006 cycle won by Whitney High School and Apeejay School (Indian Team)

Bradburyom - The second colony on the surface of Mars, the colony expands on the purpose of Argonom, seeking out additional natural resources. The main intent of the colony is to act as base for the terraforming of Mars while continuing scientific studies. Named after Ray Bradbury, in recognition of the influence the Martian Chronicles had on the moder perception of Mars. Finals Competition, recurring, will be 2007 Final.

Asteroid Belt

Astoria - The first and, currently, only colony established in the Asteroid Belt. This station acts as a staging area for future endeavors into the outer solar system, mining and refining operations, both private and commercial, and ship construction and repair. Named for John Jacob Astor, an investor who became wealthy by taking advantage of opportunities others did not see. Qualifying Competition, recurring.

Competition Sequence The appearance of colonies is on a set cycle repeating every four years. The cycle is as follows: