CONTEST RULES

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN. 

Contest Host: Space Foundation, 4425 Arrowswest Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80907 

Eligibility 

To be eligible to participate (in each case as an “Eligible Participant”) in the SPACE SUSTAINABILITY COMPETITION (“Contest”), you must satisfy the following criteria: 

  • Be a current student in 6th-8th grade; and 
  • Teams must consist of 2-4 students, supervised by a teacher or adult mentor. 
  • Reside in the U.S. states and territories.  
  • A parent/legal guardian (“Guardian”) over eighteen (18) years of age must provide parental consent to enter the Contest and grant the rights set forth herein. 

Employees of the Host or their affiliates, advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of this Contest, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, service providers, prize suppliers, any other person or entity associated with Contest (collectively “Contest Entities”) and/or members of their immediate families (spouses, children, siblings, parents) and/or persons living in the same household as such persons, whether or not related, are ineligible to enter the Contest. 

Participation constitutes full and unconditional agreement to, and acceptance of, these Official Rules. This Contest is subject to, and all Eligible Participants shall comply with, all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 

Contest Period 
The Contest begins on October 27, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. MST and ends January 31,2026, at 5:00 p.m. MST (“Contest Period”).   

Entry into the Contest 

To enter the Contest, complete the following steps: 

  • Teacher/Adult Mentor of an Eligible Participant: 
  • Access the Competition Website. 
  • Complete and submit the electronic parental permission form. 
  • Register for the Contest by providing your name and contact information, including email address, and the Eligible Participants’ information. Once registered, the Teacher/Adult Mentor may use their registration information and password to enter the Entry Information. 
  • The adult completing the entry form is responsible for adhering to school policies and obtaining any required permissions from the applicable school, district and parent/legal guardian. 
  • Limit one (1) entry per eligible team during the Contest Period. 

The Entry must: 

Explore sustainable orbital and lunar architecture—designing the habitats, systems, and infrastructure that will enable humans to live, work, and thrive living beyond Earth while protecting its environment for future generations (the “Theme”); 

  • Video Requirements: 
  • Video Length: The video must be no longer than 3 minutes. Videos that exceed this length may be disqualified or have points deducted. 
  • Video Content Requirements: 
  • Mission Brief – Problem Overview 
    Provide a clear explanation of the challenges of building and sustaining human presence in orbit and on the Moon. Highlight key issues such as resource limitations (reusable rockets, fuel, water, oxygen, power), habitat safety, transportation, environmental impact, and long-term sustainability. Explain why addressing these problems is critical for the future of lunar exploration and human settlement. 
  • STEM Component – Solution Explanation 
    Present a proposed solution for sustainable orbital or lunar architecture. This may include innovative designs for habitats, energy systems, resource utilization, transportation, or life support technologies. Models, visuals, or animations should be used to demonstrate the concept, highlight the underlying science and engineering, and illustrate feasibility in real-world lunar conditions. 
  • Video Pitch – Business and Implementation Plan 
    Summarize how the proposed solution could be developed, implemented, and scaled. Identify the target market, outline potential funding or support, and describe the commercial or societal benefits. Emphasis should be placed on contributions to a long-term, sustainable orbital or lunar presence. 
  • Video Format and Quality:  
  • Videos should be in landscape format and recorded in at least 720 resolution (higher resolutions preferred, if available) 
  • Ensure clear audio quality so judges can understand the pitch without background noise. 
  • Video Presentation Style:  
  • Teams are encouraged to be creative in presenting their ideas. They can use a combination of narration, visuals, and on-screen text to make their pitch engaging and easy to follow. 
  • Team members may appear on camera, but it’s optional. The focus should be on the clarity of the idea and solution. 
  • Video File Format 
  • Acceptable formats include MP4 or MOV. Other formats may not be accepted. 
  • The file size should be kept manageable to ensure smooth upload and accessibility. 
  • Model Requirements:  
  • Model Complexity and Length:  
  • The digital model submission should effectively communicate the design without overwhelming detail.  
  • Models should be easy to understand and focused on key components related to space sustainability.  
  • The description document should not exceed 500 words to keep explanations concise. 
  • Model Format and Quality: 
  • Digital models should be created using software such as Tinkercad, SketchUp, or any design tool accessible to middle school students.  
  • Export high-quality screenshots or renders (PNG, JPG, PDF) that clearly showcase the model’s design and functionality. 
  • Presentation Style: 
  • Labeling and Clarity: Be sure to label key features in the model images or include callouts to indicate the model’s functionality. 
  • Creative Representation: Teams are encouraged to creatively present their design, using digital techniques, props, or additional diagrams if needed, to make the model engaging and easy to follow. 
  • File Format and Size: 
  • Acceptable file formats include PDF (for documents), PNG, or JPG (for images). Other formats may not be accepted. 
  • The file size should be kept manageable to ensure smooth upload and accessibility. 
  • Brief Requirements: 
  • Length: The mission briefing should be concise, with a maximum of three (3) pages to focus on the core sustainability aspects. 
  • Brief Content Requirements: 
  • Clearly identify the problem and your team’s proposed solution. The issue should be easy to describe and your solution should be clear and concise. 
  • Provide a brief written explanation of how your solution works. This written explanation will be supplemented by your team’s Model Requirement. 
  • Provide a “Sustainability Snapshot,” highlighting how your solution emphasizes sustainable orbital practices or sustainable practices to living and working on the moon. 
  • File Format and Size: 
  • Submit the brief in PDF format for easy access and compatibility. 
  • If the brief includes visuals (e.g., logos, charts), ensure they are high-quality and integrated into the PDF document. 
  • Organize the brief clearly, using headings and bullet points where appropriate to make the information easy to follow. 
  • Keep the emphasis on how the solution could realistically contribute to long term sustainable lunar presence and be clear about its potential value in the industry. 
  • File Size: The file size should be kept manageable to ensure smooth upload and accessibility.   

Submission Process 

All materials must be uploaded to the competition platform by the specified deadline. 

Each team must name their file in the following format: TeamName_School_CompetitionYear_Deliverable Type (e.g., SpaceSquad_WestMiddleSchool_2025_Mission Brief). 

Not contain copyrighted material; 

Not contain threatening, offensive, or abusive material; 

In full compliance with these Official Rules. 

Entries must be received by 5:00 p.m. MST on January 31, 2026. All required Entry Information must be completed in full to be considered. Proof of delivery or receipt of any kind of Entry will not be deemed by Sponsors as proof of Entry. Any attempted form of Entry other than as described herein is void. Each Entry will be judged on the criteria set forth below. Entries that contain information that is not reasonably pertinent to the judging criteria (described below), as determined by Hosts in its sole discretion, or is otherwise in violation of these Official Rules will be disqualified. As determined by Host any Entry that includes obscenities, objectionable material, defames or invades the publicity or privacy rights of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringes upon any third party’s personal or proprietary rights, publicity rights, will be disqualified. Entries that are incomplete, illegible, or corrupted are void and will not be accepted. Normal time, toll, connection and usage rates, if any, charged by your Internet service provider will apply. For your Entry to be valid, you must acknowledge reading, accepting, and agreeing to all terms and conditions set forth in these Official Rules. All Entry Information is subject to Hosts’ Privacy Policy, www.SpaceFoundation.com/privacy. 

Selection and Announcement of Winners 

Eligible Entries will be judged by Hosts’ designated representative(s) (collectively “Judges”). BUT NOTE THAT THEY MAY BE REVIEWED ON A ROLLING BASIS AS THEY ARE RECEIVED. All eligible Entries will be judged by the Judges, who will select three (3) winners, (each a “Winner”).  Entries will be judged based upon the following criteria: (1) Creativity and Innovation (25%) (2) Feasibility and Practicality (25%) (3) Technical Presentation (25%) (4) Mission Brief (15%) (5) Video Pitch Quality (10%)  

Winners will be announced on May 1, 2026  

All potential winners will be contacted through the email address provided by the teacher, parent or legal guardian. The failure to respond to the notification in a timely manner shall result in forfeiture of the prize and, in such case, an alternate potential winner will be selected from among the remaining eligible entries. 

Prize: 

The following prize will be awarded to the winning Eligible Participants (each a “Winner”): 

Total Prizes: A total of three (3) prizes (each a “Prize”) will be awarded. 

Prizes:  

Exciting prizes for the winners of the National Space Sustainability Competition are currently being finalized. Details will be announced soon. 

All prizes listed are subject to change at the discretion of Space Foundation. 

Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be modified/changed or exchanged for any other value including monetary compensation.  

Prize Award Conditions 
All potential Winners will be contacted through the email address provided by the Teacher or Guardian. The failure to respond in a timely manner to the notification shall result in forfeiture of the Prize. Host will request, and potential Winner agrees to provide confirmation of parental permission/consent, an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release covering eligibility, liability, advertising, publicity and media appearance issues, unless prohibited by law. A Prize will not be awarded until necessary information has been collected and all properly executed forms are returned (“Verification”). Upon completion of Verification, a potential Winner shall become a Winner. If a Prize, or any portion thereof, cannot be awarded for any reason, Host reserves the right to substitute a Prize with another Prize of equal or greater value. No transfer of any Prize. It is expressly understood that the Host is under no obligation to any Winner other than as expressly set forth herein. Each Winner is solely responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes and fees associated with the receipt of a Prize. Should federal, state, or local law impose any tax reporting or filing obligations on Host arising out of the Winner’s participation in the Contest (including the Winner’s receipt of and/or use of any Prize), the Winner agrees to timely provide Host with any information that is reasonably needed for Host to comply with any such reporting or filing obligations.  

Grant of Rights 
Each Entrant unconditionally assigns and transfers all rights, title, interest, claim, ideas, concepts, copyrighted materials, and trademarks contained in any Entry submitted in the Contest and any and all rights including “moral rights” in any Entry submitted in the Contest to the Host. Entrant unconditionally assigns and transfers to Host all rights, title, interest, and/or claim, which he/she now has, or may in the future have to his/her Entry (including any and all essays submitted by the Entrant). Host has the right to use, assign, modify, edit, adapt, dispose of, and electronically alter Entrant’s Entry, including but not limited to, for moral rights, to appear in promotional and/or commercial materials, as well as to reproduce it, in whole or in part, without compensation or additional consent from Entrant, or any third party. 

Limitations of Liability and Release 
No liability or responsibility is assumed by Host or resulting from any Eligible Participant’s participation in or attempt to participate in the Contest. Host is not responsible for any typographical errors in the announcement of any Prize or these Official Rules. All Eligible Participants must have a valid email address. No responsibility or liability is assumed by the Host or Contest Entities for technical problems or technical malfunction arising in connection with any of the following occurrences which may affect the operation of the Contest: hardware or software errors; faulty computer, telephone, television, cable, satellite, network, electronic, wireless or Internet connectivity or other online communication problems; errors or limitations of any Internet service providers, servers, hosts or providers; garbled, jumbled, or faulty data transmissions; failure of any email transmissions to be sent to or received; lost, late, delayed, or intercepted email transmissions; inaccessibility of the Website in whole or in part for any reason; traffic congestions on the Internet or the Website; unauthorized human or non-human intervention of the operation of the Contest, including without limitation, unauthorized tampering, hacking, theft, virus, bugs, worms; or destruction of any aspect of the Contest, or loss, miscount, misdirection, inaccessibility, or unavailability of an account used in connection with the Contest. By participating in the Contest, Eligible Participants agree to release and hold the Contest Entities harmless from any and all claims, damages, or liabilities arising from or relating to such Eligible Participant’s participation in the Contest including, without limitation, any use or misuse of any Prize. By accepting a Prize, Winner agrees to release, and hold Host harmless for any loss or injury including, without limitation, any personal injury or property damage resulting from participation in the Contest or acceptance or use/misuse of any Prize. The Prize may be deemed compensation to a Winner and may be subject to withholding in accordance with Host’s payroll practices. 

Publicity Release 
Participation in Contest and/or acceptance of a Prize constitutes permission for Host to use, without notice or further compensation, worldwide and in perpetuity, any Eligible Participant’s Entry, photo, likeness, biographical information, statement, and voice in any and all media for any purpose, including without limitation, advertising and promotional purposes as well as in, on or in connection with the Website or the Contest or other promotions, and Eligible Participant hereby releases the Contest Entities from any liability with respect thereto (each a “Publicity Release”). 

General 
By participating, Eligible Participants agree to these Official Rules and Host’s Privacy Policy, www.SpaceFoundation.com/privacy, which are final and binding in all respects. Unclaimed Prizes will not be awarded.  Winners must comply with any and all requirements and limitations associated with the use of any Prize. If for any reason the Contest is not capable of running as planned, Host reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel, modify, or suspend the Contest. 

Winners List/Rules Request 
For Winners’ names (first name, city, and state) or Official Rules, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope (VT residents may omit return postage) specifying “Official Rules” or “Winners List,” postmarked by May 31, 2026, to:  Space Foundation, Attention: Space Sustainability Competition, 4425 Arrowswest Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80907.