The International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC), in conjunction with the National Space Society (NSS), is conducting a student academic challenge contest regarding how space elevators could be used with artificial intelligence for planetary defense.
First prize is $2000, second prize $1,000, and third prize $500. The contest is for individual students or teams of up to four students from around the world (high school or university). The contest will be in three phases as described below. The first phase is to submit an abstract by October 15, 2025.
Space Elevators
A space elevator consists of a tether some 100,000 km long suspended between the Earth and a counterweight (Apex Anchor). The identification of a suitably strong material (single crystal graphene super laminate) to build a space elevator could possibly make it a reality in your lifetime. If it could be built, a space elevator could raise 170,000 metric tons to space every year, the equivalent of 8500 Falcon Heavy launches, and with no atmospheric pollution—a “green road to space.” Space elevators could enable such massive movement of cargo to GEO and beyond in a safe, environmentally friendly, daily and routine way, at lower cost than rockets – thus transforming the approach for humanity to escape Earth’s gravity. For information about space elevators and their capability visit isec.org.
The Challenge
The challenge encourages you to expand your imagination by exploring the use of AI technologies towards a particular mission using a space elevator for planetary defense.
The Contest
All participants will be provided with access to large numbers of papers about the space elevator.
Phase 1 submissions (an abstract) must be submitted by October 15, 2025. Phase 2 submissions by those selected in Phase 1 will consist of a 15-page paper due January 15, 2026. Phase 3 submissions by those selected in Phase 2 will consist of an audio/video MP4 presentation due February 15, 2026.
First Prize is $2000, Second Prize is $1000, and Third Prize is $500 in each of these two categories. Prize money will be equally divided among team members. Winning submissions will be published on the ISEC YouTube channel and other social media. Winners will be invited to present their paper at the National Space Society’s International Space Development Conference as well as the ISEC Conference in 2026.
For detailed rules and guidelines for the contest see https://www.isec.org/academic-challenge.
The International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC) promotes the development, construction and operation of a space elevator infrastructure as a revolutionary and efficient way to space for all humanity. ISEC is an affiliate of the National Space Society.
