Category Archives: Contests and Games

Contests and Games, Space Systems

International SunSat Competition – Over $40k in prizes to be awarded

An announcement from the National Space Society and the Space Journal at Ohio University:

Participate in the International SunSat Competition
Over $40,000 in Prizes Will Be Awarded! 

The National Space Society in affiliation with Ohio University is pleased to announce that the International SunSat Design Competition is now registering competitive teams.  This two-year project is designed to link global scientific communities with university-based (and other) digital media labs for the purposes of advancing knowledge of space-based solar power satellites (SunSats) and illustrating their many Earth-energy applications.

SunSat Design Competition Logo

If you are a space scientist, engineer, academic, business or digital media professional with an idea for moving space solar power closer to implementation, consider forming a team to join in this effort. And please forward this message to others.

In the first cycle of this competition, two First Place prizes of $10,000 and three Second Place prizes of $5,000 are expected to be awarded at the May 2014 International Space Development Conference in Los Angeles. For registered teams successfully completing the Feb. 2014 “significant progress point,” an additional $1,000 incentive can be earned, and $1,000 travel assistance will be awarded to winners.

Winning entries of 2014 and 2015 will be published in the Space Journal as Issue No.18: Top SSP Designs.

To learn more, check  the SunSat Visualization Guidebook [pdf] and look at the SunSat Design Competition website.To see where the idea of a SSP Design Competition came from, take a look at SpaceJournal Issue No.16: Solar Power Satellites.To see how Ohio University’s Game Research in Immersive Design (GRID) Lab, with the help of Georgia Institute of Technology, University of North Dakota and others in academia, has experimented with making the advanced science and technology concepts of SSP more accessible to the public, view SpaceJournal Issue No.17: Creative Visualization of Space Solar Power.This competition is managed by Ohio University, the host institution for the Online Journal of Space Communication, but guided and juried by members of the National Space Society and the Society of Satellite Professionals International.

Contests and Games, History

Name selected in contest for Space Shuttle replica at Space Center Houston

An announcement from  with Space Center Houston :

 Space Center Houston unveils official name of Space Shuttle replica
Winning submission selected from more than 10,000 entries in Texas-wide naming contest

HOUSTON – Officials with Space Center Houston, the visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center (NASA-JSC), today announced the winning entry in the “Name the Shuttle” contest during a public christening ceremony. The full-scale Space Shuttle replica will now be known as “Independence,” a name that fittingly symbolizes the spirit of Texas and its unique characteristics. The replica will eventually sit atop the massive 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) as part of a new $12 million, six-story attraction currently under development.

“We received a total of 10,263 entries from all across Texas, and our elite panel of judges sorted through a widespread collection of possibilities,” said Richard Allen, president of Space Center Houston. “It was a tough decision, but we ultimately chose a name that celebrates the Lone Star State and highlights its distinct contribution to America’s Space Shuttle Program.”

The winner, Tim Judd of Kingwood, was present for the unveiling ceremony and helped reveal the new moniker. Judd, 29, will have his name and hometown incorporated onto a placard at the exhibit, once construction is completed. He was also awarded a multi-day trip for four to Space Center Houston, which includes a VIP tour of the facility, a behind-the-scenes experience at NASA-JSC, hotel accommodations, meals and travel compensation.

“When I first heard about the ‘Name the Shuttle’ contest, ‘Independence’ was the first thought to pop into my mind,” Judd said. “This concept is important, not just to the State of Texas, but to all Americans. We enjoy freedom every day, constantly striving for a greater sense of independence. It was that exact mindset that brought the settlers here in the first place and what drives explorers into space today.”

The state-of-the-art Space Shuttle attraction is slated to open in 2015 and will be unique to Space Center Houston. It will be the only place in the world where guests can climb aboard the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and the Shuttle replica to experience the 30-year Space Shuttle program in the most dynamic, hands-on environment imaginable.

“The Shuttle was a fantastic spacecraft. Visitors from around the world will have the unparalleled opportunity to explore this vehicle through the eyes of an astronaut, creating a truly unique Shuttle experience,” said Chris Ferguson, STS-135 shuttle commander, who spoke at the event. “Space Center Houston will be the only place in the world where visitors will be able to see the Shuttle ‘piggyback’ on one of the authentic carrier airplanes. It’s most fitting that this magnificent combination will live its second career as a learning tool, inspiring generations to come.”

About Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston is the official visitor center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center and is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) education foundation with award-winning educational programs designed to inspire and encourage students to consider a career in math and science. Space Center Houston features a multitude of permanent exhibits, attractions and theatres and is open every day with the exception of Christmas Day. Space Center Houston is located at 1601 NASA Parkway; Houston, TX 77058. Please visit www.spacecenter.org.

Contests and Games, History

Space Center Houston to unveil name selected for Space Shuttle replica

An announcement from with Space Center Houston:

Space Center Houston to unveil official name of Space Shuttle replica
Winning submission selected from more than 10,000 entries in Texas-wide naming contest

WHAT:
 Officials with Space Center Houston, the visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center (NASA-JSC), will hold a public ceremony to announce the winning entry in the “Name the Shuttle” contest, a recent statewide challenge that gave Texans the chance to show their support for America’s space program. During the ceremony, the winner will help unveil the freshly-painted moniker on the full-scale Space Shuttle replica that will eventually sit atop the massive 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) as part of a new $12 million, six-story attraction currently under development. Additionally, the winner will have his/her name and hometown incorporated onto a placard at the new exhibit.

As part of the winner’s prize package, he/she will embark on a multi-day trip for four to Space Center Houston, which includes a VIP tour of the facility, a behind-the-scenes experience at NASA-JSC, hotel accommodations, meals and travel compensation.

Note: A b-roll package will be available to media by request. Footage of the winner’s tour of Space Center Houston and NASA-JSC will be included, along with material from the winner’s “Lunch with an Astronaut.”

 WHEN:
Saturday, Oct. 5

  • 9:30 a.m. – Presentation
  • 10:00 a.m. – Name reveal
  • 10:15 a.m. – Photo and interview opportunities

WHERE:
Space Center Houston
1601 NASA Pkwy
Houston, Texas 77058

WHO:
Speakers include:

  • Richard Allen, president & CEO, Space Center Houston (master of ceremonies)
  • Astronaut Chris Ferguson, STS-135 Shuttle Commander
  • Dr. Melanie Johnson, director of education, Space Center Houston

 

PROJECT

BACKGROUND:
The state-of-the-art Space Shuttle attraction is slated to open in 2015 and will be unique to Space Center Houston. It will be the only place in the world where guests can climb aboard the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and the Shuttle replica to experience the 30-year Space Shuttle program in the most dynamic, hands-on environment imaginable. The attraction will also expand Space Center Houston’s current educational programs, which aim to inspire students to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

OTHER:
Space Center Houston is the official visitor center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center and is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) education foundation with award-winning educational programs designed to inspire and encourage students to consider a career in math, science, engineering or technology. Space Center Houston features a multitude of permanent exhibits, attractions and theatres and is open every day with the exception of Christmas Day. Space Center Houston is located at 1601 NASA Parkway; Houston, TX 77058. Please visit www.spacecenter.org.

Chinese space, Contests and Games, The Moon

China announces contest to name lunar rover

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation gave more details about the of the Chang’e 3 lunar lander/rover hardware that will be launched to the Moon later this year. They also announced a contest to name the rover.

Here is a BBC report on the mission:

Contests and Games, Space Arts

Youth Art Contest sponsored by Astronauts for Hire

Here’s an announcement from Astronauts4Hire:

Astronauts for Hire Announces Youth Art Contest as part of World Space Week 2013

Tampa, Florida – To help inspire the next generation of space explorers, Astronauts for Hire (A4H) is proud to host an art contest in association with World Space Week 2013. The future of space exploration and human spaceflight will be determined by the children of today, and it is never too early to spark their imaginations through creative self-expression. A4H welcome art submissions from youth age 17 and under that answer any of the following questions:

“Where in space would you like to go?”
“What will you do in space?”
“How would you live on Mars?”
Entries can be submitted at http:/forms.astronauts4hire.org/ArtContest from September 20, 2013 through October 20, 2013. Artwork can be any medium (pencil, crayon, marker, paint, sculpture, photo, video, etc.) but must be captured in a digital format that can be put online. All entries will be reviewed by A4H prior to display on the A4H Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Astronauts4Hire. Winning entries and awards will be announced on the A4H website the week after the contest concludes.

A4H-WSW_ArtContest2013[1]

About Astronauts for Hire:
Astronauts for Hire, Inc. (A4H) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose objectives are to provide opportunities for students and professionals to develop and refine the skills necessary to become commercial astronauts and to assist these qualified candidates with networking opportunities in the space research community. A4H’s commercial astronaut candidates are accomplished scientists and engineers who can support a wide variety of payloads. They are available today for contract and consulting work with researchers to design and conduct experiments on microgravity, suborbital, and orbital missions. For more information, please visit www.Astronauts4Hire.org or contact Public Relations Officer Ben Corbin at media[at]astronauts4hire.org or at (850) 685-2218.

About World Space Week:
World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from October 4-10. ‘Exploring Mars, Discovering Earth’ is the theme of the 2013 campaign, which incorporates science, engineering, and education activities related to living and working on Mars. Learn more at http://www.worldspaceweek.org.