International Space Challenge

The International Space Challenge (ISC) is one of the few platforms that connects young minds across the globe with industry experts, to nurture interest in space technology and its applications. It taps into the creativity of young minds to find new solutions and create a pathway for future commercialisation of these ideas. 

Started in 2007 as the Singapore Space Challenge (SSC), it was a national space design competition to challenge student teams to leverage space technology. Since then, it has become a landmark platform with global reach. The SSC rebranded as the International Space Challenge (ISC) in 2021 with the aim of increasing diversity and to generate more accreditation from global organisations. Over 2000 youths have come through the doors of the challenge, drawing interest from over 20 countries around the world. 

This year ISC will be split into 2 categories – Starter and Open. The Starter’s category will be from ages 13 to 18, while the Open category will comprise of the 15 to 25 age group. This will allow for participants with all skill levels and knowledge to take part in ISC. We hope to spread awareness amongst the youth about how diverse the space sector can be and inspire them to learn more about the space and related industries through these changes.

THEME: SPACE WEATHER

Whilst everyone is familiar and has experienced the challenges pertaining to the weather on Earth, there is also weather in space. Space weather can be as or even more fickle than “Earth weather”. Similar to weather on earth, the sun is also responsible for changes in space weather.

Coronal mass ejections from the sun cause immense magnetic storms which alter the space weather surrounding the Earth. The changes in space weather that occur in the near-earth environment can cause adverse effects to both space and ground based technological equipment.

Examples of Effects Caused by Space Weather

Aurora Borealis

Disruption in telecommunication

Loss of GPS

Surges in electrical grids

Radiation exposure to astronauts

Damage to spacecraft

Challenge Statements:

STARTER CATEGORY

Design an experiment to be conducted on board the ISS that uses changes in space weather as the independent variable.

• International Space Station
• Radiation

OPEN CATEGORY

Design a satellite mission to gather key data so as to observe the changes, their causes and patterns in the Van Allen Belts.

• Van Allen Radiation Belts
• Van Allen Probes

Registration Closed on 6 August 2021

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Participating teams must satisfy the following conditions:

Four participants per team

Team members must have a valid email address

If you have yet to form a team of four members, you can submit your initial registration with the details of minimum one team member.

STARTER CATEGORY

Participants to be between 13 – 18 years old as of 31 Dec 2021

OPEN CATEGORY

Participants to be between 15 – 25 years old as of 31 Dec 2021

PRIZES

Participants in the Starter Category stand a chance to win the following prizes:

Distinction Awards

Best Poster

Other Prizes up to S$1,500

Participants in the Open Category stand a chance to win the following prizes:

Grand Prize: S$10,000

2 Distinction Awards: S$1,000

3 Merit Awards: S$500

Young Entrepreneur Award

Most Creative Award

Best Video Award

3 Women in STEM Awards: S$500 worth of Shiseido products

5 AWS Awards: $500 worth of AWS Credits

In addition, to recognise the efforts of mentors in guiding the participants:

Best Mentor Award

 

Prizes are subject to change.