SPACE EXPLORATION OCTOBER 2021
The Belldegrun Center for Innovative Leadership is partnering with POSSUM-13 in asking students to identify a challenge related to expanded space exploration and propose a solution. The explosion of new technologies in fields such as artificial intelligence, big data, and robotics has revolutionized humans' relationship with space and opened tremendous opportunities. Alongside this new reality is a growing recognition of the environmental impact human actions have on our planet and recognition of how “exploration” often obscures the horrors of colonization in our own global past, raising ethical questions about who, how, and by what right space exploration should go forth. For this Impact Challenge, we ask students to consider these questions and propose innovative solutions to the challenges of the New Space Age. We look forward to hearing your ideas!
BCIL Impact Challenge: Identify a challenge related to expanded space exploration and propose a solution.
Winning Entries will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of leading astronauts, space engineers, and experts in space medicine.
Due Date: Proposals are due November 12th, 2021 by 8:00 a.m. PST through this Google form.
Criteria: Submissions will be judged by a panel of judges based on the following criteria:
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Innovation: Is the proposed solution creative and unique?
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Feasibility: How realistic is the proposed solution, and how would it generate buy-in?
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Impact: How significantly will the proposed solution address the challenge you identified?
Guiding Questions: Your submission can address individual or multiple challenges, and you should feel free to explore additional questions not listed below.
Guiding Questions
Your submission can address individual or multiple challenges, and you should feel free to explore additional questions not listed below.
Design & Engineering
How might we improve the design of space suits and expedite their development?
How might we design a product that helps astronauts live or conduct scientific research in space?
How might we use artificial intelligence to address challenges of space travel?
Well-Being & Collaboration
How might we better train and prepare astronauts to work together in space?
How might we help astronauts deal with loneliness and confinement in space?
How might we prepare astronauts to deal with the physical effects of space travel?
Ethics & Inclusion
How might we reduce the environmental impact of space travel?
How might we ensure that space travel is inclusive of and accessible to all?
How might we establish ethical norms around space exploration and research?