Below is a message from Nicole Willet, Director of Education Programs at the Mars Society in the US
Hello, Fellow Space Enthusiasts,
I just wanted to give you this fantastic opportunity to join us on a beautiful adventure toward a journey to Mars! The Mars Society is launching the Summer Science in the Southern Hemisphere International Engineering Design Competition!
An overview of the program:
The contest will run from mid-December through the start of February. This is a six-week program that encourages critical thinking and teamwork to design a human mission to Mars. The students work together to create the best engineering, science, and human operations for a crew of up to six astronauts for up to 18 months on the surface of Mars. The contest includes presentations from industry professionals, aerospace professionals, and NASA scientists.
Challenge: Design a human Mars mission.
Your team is designing a Mars surface mission, including its habitat, surface vehicles, scientific instruments, power system and other equipment and supplies, crew size and composition, mission location, scientific objectives, rations, duration, and exploration plan.
Purpose: Accomplish as much scientific exploration as possible.
Keep four major factors in mind: Science, Engineering, and Human Operational Challenges. What are your priorities?
Your team should be divided into three groups: Science, Engineering, and Human Operations.
For your team’s consideration
Time on Surface: up to 1.5 years
Weight: 30 metric tons (not to include transport there or back) – You may split the weight in two for separate launches. Include in weight-hab, life support, supplies, instruments, vehicles, crew, and consumables, and consider a margin.
Crew: Up to 6 Marsonauts: Who should be in the crew? What are their skills, and what is their training? What is their compatibility? Is there a commander? What type of space suits will they need?
Water: How much water will your crew need? How will the crew get the water?
Food: How is the crew going to eat? Where will the food come from?
Landing site: Your choice
Equipment and vehicles should consider the landing site terrain and fuel type.
Power: What type of power supply would you use?
Food: Bring it or grow it? Or both? You should have a certain amount of redundancy among crew and equipment.
Hab diameter max: 8m for a rigid structure, larger for an inflatable, life support in the hab, lab space vs living space.
Cost: Take the equipment into account when deciding the amount you can spend.
Disputes: How will your team resolve disputes?
Exploration possibilities:
Geology
Climatology
Paleontology (possibility of past life)
Astrobiology (possible present life)
Resources for future use (example: precious metals)
How do you reach the best possible overall design? This will generally include a compromise between optimizing the various features of your design.
Design Report
Presentations & Debates-Presentation, Critique, Defense.
Awards for Best Overall Design, Best Engineering Design, Best Science, Best Human Operations
Join us and buckle in for this incredible journey to inspire students to make humans a multi-planetary species. Please let me know if you have any questions!
Email Nicole if you are interested in attending.
Help and support
Spaceward Bound is thrilled to support students in this exciting Mars mission project! Hari, a seasoned analog astronaut with four missions at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), is very happy to offer insights and guidance. Both Hari and Sam would love to contribute through talks or advice, bringing their unique expertise to help students navigate the complexities of Mars mission design. We’re excited to help inspire the next generation of Mars explorers! We look forward to hearing from you. Contact us.
