International Space Settlement Design Competition
Space Settlement Design Competitions were created and are fostered by Co-Founders Anita Gale, Dick Edwards, and Rob Kolstad. Anita and Dick are senior project engineers with the Space Shuttle program for The Boeing Company in Houston, Texas. Rob is formerly President of Berkeley Software Design, Inc. (BSDI) and currently a consultant in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The three Co-Founders have conducted Space Settlement Design Competitions as a volunteer activity since 1984. Anita and Dick also contribute time and energy to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Space Colonization Technical Committee, and to the California State Science Fair. Rob volunteers as a coach and judge for international computer programming competitions.
The Co-Founders rely on the selfless contributions of uncounted hours by volunteers who help with organizing, judging, and coaching for the Design Competition. Most of our volunteers are associated with the following organizations:
As of Summer 2007, the financial situation for the ISSDC competitions is uncertain.
For the first decade, sponsors of the International Space Settlement Design Competition enabled the Co-Founders to offer this experience for any school world-wide with high school age students, and to provide complimentary lodging and meals for Finalist Competition participants. In the early years, the Competition's most generous sponsors were:
From 1998 through 2004, continuing support was provided by the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
From 1999 through 2005, proceeds from three annual local Space Settlement Design Competitions helped defray costs of the International Competition. Major sponsors of these events were:
As we updated this website for the 2005 - 2006 Competition, we learned that changing educational outreach priorities at NASA and associated corporate sponsors threatened the JSC and WSTF Competitions. Competition Co-Founders Anita Gale and Dick Edwards personally donated the majority of funding required to conduct the 2006 and 2007 International Finalist Competitions.
As we update this website for the 2007-2008 Competition, we are looking for a corporate Angel. As an AIAA activity, the Competition can accept 501(c)(3) tax deductible donations. We are, however, in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) non-profit organization status for the Competition.
Despite financial uncertainties, the Co-founders are responding to participant demand and expanding the Competition concept to benefit more students:
A dozen 12-person teams advance to the Finalist Competition, either through Semi-Finalist Competitions or judging of Qualifying Competition proposals. Teams are "tripled up" to form four Competition companies of 36 students each. Enables 144 students to participate in the intensity of the International Finals, with company sizes approaching the practical maximum.
Conduct four Semi-Finalist Competitions in the U.S., in regions roughly corresponding to time zones. Invite eight or more 12-person teams to each Semi-Final, or some combination of teams and individuals up to 160 participants, guaranteeing a "live" Competition experience for over 400 students nation-wide. One team from each Semi-Final advances to the Finals.
In addition to four U.S. regions, six other regions are established world-wide. At least eight 12-person teams compete in each Semi-Final, enabling 1000 or more students to experience a "live" Competition. One team advances to the Finals from each Semi-Final; the remaining two Finalist teams are selected from Qualifying proposals submitted by Semi-Finalist teams.
This vision can be implemented incrementally. Asian and Australian Regional Semi-Finalist Competitions already exist. Regional Coordinators have been identified in Europe, Africa, and South/Central America. A local Competition in Texas is now designated a Semi-Final. Teams will be selected for the Finals through Qualifying Competition proposals until regional Semi-Finals are established for their parts of the world.
If you have questions or comments about the Competition or these materials, you are welcome to contact the Competition organizers: Anita Gale and Dick Edwards <anita.e.gale@boeing.com>