Led by the Airbus Foundation, this STEM-promoting initiative announces its latest international challenge 

Discovery Space, launched in May 2018 by the Airbus Foundation, attracted more than 900 students worldwide for its initial competition. Today, the innovative digital information portal – which inspires young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) – is raising the bar with an exciting new challenge.

Beginning October, students can join a Discovery Space competition developed in a partnership of the Airbus Foundation and the European Space Agency (ESA). The goal is to design a base camp for life on the Moon, with the opportunity for winners to participate in a special astronaut-led webinar.

The latest challenge builds on successes of the first – which provided comprehensive details about how to live on the Moon, then tasked students with designing a rocket to travel there using Tinkercad and Fusion 360 software developed by Airbus Foundation partner Autodesk Inc.

Arthur Wohlfahrt of Germany earned first place in the 13-17 age category for his highly-detailed concept spaceship called “Moonferry Hammerhead,” while Turkey’s Furkan Günal won the 18-25 age category with a two-stage vessel called “Horizon-2.” Maximilian Bentley, from the United Kingdom won the under 13 year old category with his rocket, “Revelation”.

See the innovative rocket designs from the first Discovery Space competition for Challenge #1 under 13 years old and Challenge #2 13-17 and 18-25 years old.

2nd place winner of Challenge #1 Ethereal Melj Baquiran explains his spacecraft

Ambassadors wanted

In addition to the students’ Moon base design challenge, the Airbus Foundation has produced a digital “toolkit” that enables anyone to become Discovery Space ambassadors to inspire people around them about science and aerospace.

The Airbus Foundation is Airbus’ vehicle for corporate philanthropy, using the group’s resources, aeronautical and space products, competencies, diverse workforce and culture for driving innovation to address societal issues. In particular, the Foundation supports the global community and prepares young people for the challenges of tomorrow.

To learn more about Discovery Space, and to enter the latest competition, visit the dedicated website.

Keywords