Image via Ferenc Gál

MiniSpaceWorld aims to create a spectacular scale model world for space flight and astronomy. Light and sound effects, day and night simulations in the different Worlds, historical and modern vehicles in motion, and representation of future life scenes will enrich the visitors’ experience. Under the motto “Space for Everybody”, MiniSpaceWorld will also explicitly feature products already use in our everyday life today that originated from space activities.

The MSW Design Contest is a contest open for participants worldwide about imagining various parts of MiniSpaceWorld, a lively scale model exhibit about spaceflight and astronomy. Participants shall create a high-level content design including a theme description, map and graphical representations. The themes covered by MSW are extremely rich and vivid, with billions of lovely facets: this is without doubt true also for our closest celestial companion – our Moon, which is the topic of the 2010 Design Contest. The themes of the design are free to choose: they can feature historical missions like the Apollo flights or the Lunokhod, imagine first permanent colonies, show a complete “Moon city” with all the necessary facilities, or present future activities like regolith processing and mining of various minerals.

Project owners + coordinators:
Dr. Tibor Pacher

To learn more and participate by September 30, 2010, visit: the MSW Design Contest Overview

Design tools and instrumentation packages for the next generation manned moon rover. The NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, the Exploration Technology Development Program, and the Advanced Planning and Partnership Office at Langley Research Center encourage college students to get involved with NASA’s return to the Moon by helping to design the tools and instrument pages needed for the next generation manned moon rover.  Student projects will tackle real problems required for a successful manned lunar mission.

The contest is open to any student enrolled in an accredited college or university in the US or its territories. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged, across departments and institutions. An email notice of intent is due as soon as possible and final entries are due on or before December 15, 2009.

Project owners + coordinators:
Dr. Elizabeth Ward

THE DEADLINE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROJECT HAS PASSED.

To learn more and participate, visit: http://moontasks.larc.nasa.gov

An art and design contest sponsored by NASA that invites high school and college students to submit their work on the theme “Life and Work on the Moon”. Artists/designers are encouraged to collaborate with science and engineering students. Such collaboration is not required, but would help to ensure that the art is valid for the Moon’s harsh environment. Entries will be accepted in three categories: two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and digital, including video. Entries will be evaluated not only on their artistic qualities, but also on whether they depict a valid scenario. Prizes include awards and exhibit opportunities.

Project owners + coordinators:
Dr. Elizabeth Ward

THE DEADLINE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROJECT HAS PASSED.

To learn more and participate by April 15, 2010, visit: http://artcontest.larc.nasa.gov/

NASA Ames Research Center

Space settlement needs inexpensive, safe launch systems to deliver thousands, perhaps millions, of people into orbit. Sponsored by NASA Ames Research Center in conjunction with the National Space Society, each spring students (6-12th grade) send their designs for homes in space for judging by NASA engineers and scientists. Individuals, small teams of two to six, and large teams of seven or more (often whole classrooms with teacher leadership) may enter.

Project owners + coordinators:
Al Globus
Bryan Yager

THE DEADLINE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROJECT HAS PASSED.

To learn more and participate by March 31, 2009, visit: http://nss.org/settlement/nasa/Contest/index.html