Indian Nationals Space Settlement Design Competition (INSSDC)
by Atlantis Erudition & Travel Services Pvt. Ltd.
Pathway to NASA International Finals
A national-level competition for Indian high school students to design innovative space settlements, offering a direct pathway to international finals at NASA. Teams collaborate to create detailed proposals for future space habitats.
Mode
Hybrid
Fee
₹18,000
Participation format
Team
Teams of 2 to 12
Duration
Several months for qualifying round, weekend event for live competition
Eligibility
Open to Indian high school students in grades 8-12, typically aged 14-18 years. Participants must not be enrolled in a full-time college or university curriculum as of April 15. This is a nationwide competition for students across India.
- Grade level
- Grade 8 to 12
- Age range
- 14 to 18 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- High school student, not studying in a full-time college or university curriculum as of April 15.
- Prerequisites
- Strong interest in space, science, and engineering
- Ability to work effectively in a team
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Certificate
Participation & Achievement Certificates
Certificates of participation are awarded to all participants, and certificates of achievement are provided to winning teams, recognized by the organizing bodies and the International Space Settlement Design Competition.
Recognized by
Opens doors to
Participation and success in INSSDC significantly enhance college applications, particularly for STEM programs, demonstrating initiative, advanced technical skills, and a commitment to challenging academic pursuits.
Career pathways
Directly prepares students for careers in aerospace engineering, space science, research, and related STEM fields. Networking opportunities with industry professionals can lead to mentorship and future career pathways.
Recognition
National & International Recognition
Skills your child builds
Key dates
Last edition
- Registration opened
- 5 Mar 2026
- Registration closed
- 15 Aug 2026
- Competition
- 26 Sept 2026 to 28 Sept 2026
How to apply
- 1Register online as a team with an adult advisor.
- 2Receive the Request for Proposal (RFP) and other important documents.
- 3Prepare and submit a 40-page proposal in PDF format by the specified deadline.
- 4Selected teams will be invited to participate in the live competition round.
Rules and guidelines
- Competition is strictly team-based; individual entries are not accepted.
- Teams must register with the organizers to receive competition materials.
- Proposals must adhere to the requirements outlined in the Request for Proposal (RFP).
- Submissions must be in PDF format and submitted by the specified deadline.
- Teams must have an adult advisor (teacher, parent, or responsible adult) for registration.
- Participants must not be older than 18 years of age as of April 15.
Technology requirements
- Access to computers and internet for research, design, and proposal writing.
- Software for creating detailed technical drawings and presentations (e.g., CAD software, presentation tools).
- Reliable internet connection for online registration and submission.
Fees and financial support
Fee details
The registration fee for an Indian team is ₹18,000. Payment can be made via RTGS/NEFT/IMPS to the provided HDFC Bank account details.
Refund policy
Details regarding the refund policy are not explicitly provided and may be available upon registration or inquiry with the organizers.
About this opportunity
The Indian Nationals Space Settlement Design Competition (INSSDC) is a prestigious national contest for high school students across India. It challenges participants to step into the role of aerospace engineers, tasked with designing a viable space settlement based on a detailed Request for Proposal (RFP). This competition serves as a crucial quarter-final stage for the International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC), providing a unique opportunity for global recognition and advancement in the field of space exploration.
Eligibility extends to high school students from grades 8 to 12, typically aged between 14 and 18 years. Participants must not be enrolled in a full-time college or university curriculum as of April 15th. While a team size of 12 members is recommended for optimal collaboration, smaller teams have also successfully participated. An adult advisor, such as a teacher or parent, is required to register the team and provide guidance throughout the competition.
This competition offers significant benefits, including the development of advanced skills in space science, physics, mathematics, chemistry, environmental science, biology, and computer science. Participants also enhance their technical writing, public speaking, and artistic presentation abilities. The program fosters critical technical competence, effective management skills, and strong teamwork, culminating in the preparation of professional-grade documentation. Winners gain the opportunity to advance to the Asian Regional Space Settlement Design Competition (ARSSDC) and potentially the International Finals held at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
Rounds and format
Qualifying Round: Teams register, receive an RFP, and submit a 40-page proposal. Live Competition (Indian Nationals): 20 selected teams participate in a live event. Winners advance to the Asian Regional Space Settlement Design Competition (ARSSDC) and then potentially to the International Finals at NASA.
How entries are judged
Thoroughness, imagination, and creativity in responding to the RFP requirements. Evaluation covers structural design, operations, infrastructure, human factors, automation, business development, schedule, and costs. Presentations are also judged.
Selection process
Teams are selected based on the quality and comprehensiveness of their 40-page proposal submitted in the qualifying round. The top 20 teams advance to the Indian Nationals Live competition.
How to prepare
- Review past RFPs and winning proposals from previous competitions.
- Study concepts related to space science, engineering, and habitat design.
- Form a diverse team with members having varied skills in science, writing, and art.
- Utilize resources provided on the official ARSSDC website, including competition format and FAQs.
- Seek mentorship from teachers or professionals in relevant fields.
Academic details
Difficulty: Advanced
What's covered
The competition involves designing a comprehensive space settlement based on a Request for Proposal (RFP). This covers various aspects including structural engineering, operational logistics, infrastructure development, human factors, automation, business development strategies, project scheduling, and detailed cost analysis. The design concept is updated annually, requiring participants to develop innovative solutions for future space habitats.
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