Dear Fellow Members,
The AIAA Space Systems Technical Committee recently announced their annual Student Essay Contest. The theme for the essay is:
“Describe a space mission that integrates at least three of the following system capabilities: autonomous systems; disaggregated satellites or platforms; on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing; in-situ resource utilization; small satellites; data analytics; optical and radio communications; advanced propulsion, advanced sensors (low mass, high-sensitivity, quantum, etc.). What is the objective of this mission, and how will the mission achieve the objective?”
The contest is open to 7th or 8th grade students living within the Greater Huntsville Section's area. Student entrants do not have to have any AIAA affiliation, but relatives of section members are especially encouraged to participate.
Ideas must be original, logical, realistic, and well articulated. The essay must be 1000 words or less, typed, double-spaced, and use Times New Roman 12-point font.
The Greater Huntsville Section will select and announce both a 7th grade and 8th grade local winner by May 15, 2022. Section winners will be the section’s guests at the Greater Huntsville Section Annual Awards Banquet. Their essays will also be posted on the Greater Huntsville Section website and newsletter and the winning essays will be submitted to compete for the national-level awards.
The AIAA Space Systems technical committee will select six overall national winners in the 7th grade and 8th grade categories (three in each). 1st place will be award $125, 2nd place will be awarded $75, and 3rd place will be awarded $50.
Here are the deadlines at a glance:
- April 30, 2022: National deadline for student/schools to submit their essays to their local sections officers (distribution@hsv-aiaa.org)
- May 15, 2022: National deadline for local sections to submit their local section winners to SSTC
- June 1, 2022: SSTC Announcement of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners to sections/teachers/students
- June 2022: SSTC to mail awards to winning students
- Aerospace America Magazine to announce winners in the September 2022 issue