NSS Space Settlement Contest

The NSS Space Settlement Contest is an annual international design competition for students in grades 6–12, organized by the National Space Society (NSS) in collaboration with NASA Ames Research Center. Participants work individually or in teams to design a permanent human space settlement (such as in Earth orbit, on the Moon, Mars, asteroids, or elsewhere in space) and submit a detailed written report including technical, social, economic, and environmental considerations. The contest is open to middle and high school students worldwide, with categories for individuals, small teams, and large teams, plus special awards (including the Grand Prize winner, who is invited to present at the NSS International Space Development Conference). Students gain experience in STEM, systems engineering, research, and technical communication, and many projects integrate art, architecture, and social sciences. Submissions and judging are conducted online, making it accessible to students globally.