By Jim Plaxco
Chicago Society for Space Studies (an NSS Chapter)
NSS Board of Directors
One hundred years ago, on March 16, 1926, Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched the world’s first liquid-fuel rocket. This event marked the dawn of modern rocketry and paved the way for humanity’s journey to the moon. To honor this achievement and inspire the next generation of space enthusiasts, the National Space Society (NSS) and BLUECUBE Aerospace have joined forces to present the Goddard 100 Contest. This exciting series of competitions invites students aged 9 to 19 to unleash their creativity and share their vision for the future of space travel.
The Goddard 100 Contest is more than just a competition – it’s a call to envision a future where humanity thrives across the solar system. Its primary purpose is to inspire young minds to imagine living, working, and playing in space, while also encouraging the creation of captivating space art that will promote the non-profit objective of establishing a spacefaring civilization. Winning entries may be featured across various platforms, including social media, brochures, websites, and publications like Ad Astra magazine, reaching a wide audience and contributing to a cause that benefits the future of humanity.
The contest is divided into three divisions, each of which caters to a different age group. The Junior Division is for students of ages 9 to 11, the Intermediate Division is for students aged 11 to 14, and the Senior Division is for students aged 14 to 18. Each division offers a unique contest challenge designed to engage participants in a meaningful exploration of rocketry and space travel.
Junior Division participants are challenged to create a comic strip depicting either the future of space travel or the design of a lunar spaceport. The comic is to be accompanied by a written response to four key questions. This division aims to introduce students to the history of rocketry and challenge them to think creatively about future space travel possibilities, developing valuable problem-solving, engineering, and design skills in the process.
For the Intermediate Division, students are challenged to conceptualize and design a visually engaging comic strip that explores the evolution of rocketry – from its beginnings to today and into the future. This is supplemented by a detailed narrative exploring speculative advancements and scenarios in space exploration. This competition fosters a deeper understanding of rocketry’s evolution and encourages imaginative foresight.
For the Senior Division, students are challenged to write an essay and create an infographic that depicts the future of space travel and rocketry. This division provides an opportunity for students to connect Goddard’s contributions to present-day advancements and future possibilities, highlighting their research and analytical skills.
The contest’s terms are that all entries must be original work, free from plagiarism and the use of generative AI (artificial intelligence), thus ensuring authenticity and fostering genuine creativity. A variety of prizes are on offer to the contest’s winners, with the possibility of additional becoming available over the course of the contest.
The Goddard 100 Contest is a unique opportunity for students to contribute to the ongoing narrative of space exploration, celebrate a true pioneer, and potentially see their visions shape the future. Submissions close on January 31, 2026. Don’t miss this chance to be part of something truly extraordinary and help inspire the next century of innovation in space!
NSS leaders involved in the Goddard 100 Contest project, and also associated with the Chicago Society for Space Studies, are Frances Dellutri (NSS Director of Education), Larry Bartoszek (NSS Space Ambassador), and Jim Plaxco (NSS Board of Directors).
To learn more about the contest visit the Goddard 100 Contest Website at goddard100.org.
