NEW DELHI: A team of ten students from the Amity International School, Pushp Vihar, New Delhi, emerged victorious at the prestigious International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC). The competition was held at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Titusville, Florida, USA, from July 26th to 29th.
The competition, known for its rigorous challenges and high standards, tasked students with designing a space settlement capable of housing 12,000 permanent residents on the moon by 2059. The Amity team, part of the “Vulture Aviation” company, collaborated with students from five other schools across the globe, including teams from China, the USA, Australia, the UK, and another school from India. Together, they designed “The Balderol Space Settlement,” a large-scale, sustainable lunar community that will not only provide residential and work environments but also support data centres and associated industries.
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The event highlighted the growing importance of space exploration and settlement as humankind looks beyond Earth for future habitats. The competition underscored the need for sustainable development and innovation in extreme environments, qualities that were central to the students’ successful design. In addition to the 12,000 full-time residents, their proposal also accommodates 1,500 transient visitors and 4,500 annual rotational workers, including engineers and technicians.
One of the standout moments from the competition was when Arsh Arora from Amity International School, Pushp Vihar, was awarded the prestigious “Dick Edwards Leadership Award” for his exemplary leadership among the 60 students from around the world who formed “Vulture Aviation.” This recognition reflects the emphasis on not only technical skills but also leadership and teamwork in such complex projects.
Dr. Amita Chauhan, Chairperson of Amity International Schools, expressed her pride in the students’ achievement, stating, “It is a matter of immense pride and pleasure that our students have performed exceedingly well at an international competition of such high stature. At Amity, we are committed to the holistic development of students, nurturing their skills and talents so they are ready for all championships at national and international levels. Through this outstanding achievement in the field of science and technology, they have made their parents, teachers, and country proud.”
Principal of Amity International School Pushp Vihar, Dr. Ameeta Mohan, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the school’s dedication to preparing students for diverse challenges. “Our students are prepared to showcase their talent on various platforms, and we provide them with proper guidance and training to develop their skill sets. We are extremely proud of our students and wish them good luck in all their future endeavours.”
The journey to this victory began in September 2023 when two teams from Amity International School, Pushp Vihar, submitted proposals for the competition’s qualifying round. After successfully advancing through the Indian and Asian rounds, the team earned their place in the global finals at NASA, where their proposal stood out and clinched the winning trophy.
This victory is a testament to the growing importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in India and highlights the critical role that young minds will play in the future of space exploration. The achievement of the Amity students at the ISSDC not only brings pride to their school and country but also inspires future generations to dream big and reach for the stars.