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Aerospace Program for Teenagers (Ages 14-18)

Build Your First Real Space Mission.

In 1994, NASA started the "Space Settlement Contest". Every year, thousands of teenagers design giant space stations for 10,000 people. It sounds like a movie, but it is a real project you can actually build.

Start from scratch. No prior aerospace background or advanced science training is required to begin.

Make real friends. Work inside a dedicated team of teenagers who share your exact interest in science.

Learn from winners. The academy is run directly by students who already won top prizes in this contest.

Apply Before October 11th

What Our Students Appreciate the Most

When talking about this project, past attendees and students usually highlight the same core aspects:

Real Connection. Meeting other teenagers who get excited about space technologies without you explaining why.

Practical Guides. Learning from past winners who know the exact layout and criteria needed for a high-scoring project.

Official Diplomas. Getting international certificates from the National Space Society to back up your portfolio.

USA Travel Option. The real opportunity to travel to the USA and present your work at the international ISDC Space Conference.

For Parents: A Strong Portfolio for University Admissions

This program is run by past contest winners who achieved international success. Your child will build a complex project from scratch, learning physics and team management.

Elite Portfolio. Build a unique space project portfolio to stand out in university admissions and international student programs.

High-Level Skills. Practical execution combining physical concepts, structure organization, and 3D digital design tools.

Industry Insights. Separate, Free Open Seminars with international aerospace experts joining as independent volunteers.

For Teachers: Help Your Best Students Win International Recognition

Guide your most curious students toward an international competition without adding a single hour to your weekly school workload.

Minimal Workload. The program runs entirely outside school hours, requiring no extra administrative tasks from you.

School Visibility. Student achievements bring international pride, certificate proof, and academic recognition back to your school.

Clear Workspace. You simply open the initial door. Our team of past winners provides the framework and daily guidance.

Choose Your Trajectory

Choose the access pathway that fits your role.

Core Mentorship Program

Space Builder Track

An intensive engineering environment. Go from a simple concept to a comprehensive, submission-ready aerospace design file.

Status: Active Researcher and Builder.

Focus: 8 intensive live curriculum sessions.

Review: Technical project validation and anti-plagiarism checks.

Outcome: Official certificates from the National Space Society.

USA Travel: Eligibility for the optional ISDC Delegation group cost-share.

Requires application approval. Regional infrastructure contribution applies.

Apply Before October 11th

Open Seminars

Auditor Track

Highly condensed space industry briefings. Access battle-tested tactics and unique aerospace domain insights.

Status: Public Auditor and Guest Observer.

Format: 30-40 minute Flash Insights briefings.

Lecturers: International award winners, aerospace researchers, and NASA specialists.

Security: View-only broadcast format with moderated text Q&A feeds.

Access: 100% free for students, parents, and space enthusiasts.

Open access resource to support the global student community.

Access Open Seminars

Program Agenda & Milestones

Two separate programs. Two distinct access paths.

SPACE BUILDERS

NSS Space Settlement Contest

Core Mentorship Program

Build a complete settlement project with structured support.

Apply Before October 11th
October 6, 2026

Module 1: Introduction, Location & Transportation

Morning 07:00

Evening 19:30

EET, UTC+2

October 12, 2026

Module 2: Funding & Resources

Morning 07:00

EET, UTC+2

October 17-18, 2026

In-Person Workshop

Regional workspace gathering.

Details to be agreed.

October 19, 2026

Module 3: Building Stages & Space Base

Morning 07:00

Evening 19:30

EET, UTC+2

November 2, 2026

Module 4: Shielding, Debris, Radiation & Thermal

Evening 19:30

EET, UTC+2

November 9, 2026

Module 5: Energy, Artificial Gravity & Materials

Morning 07:00

EET, UTC+2

November 14-15, 2026

In-Person Workshop

Regional workspace gathering.

Details to be agreed.

November 23, 2026

Module 6: Thrusters, Docking Points & Internal Transportation

Morning 07:00

EET, UTC+2

December 7, 2026

Module 7: Sustainability, Communication, Food, Water & Atmosphere

Morning 07:00

Evening 19:30

EET, UTC+2

December 14, 2026

Module 8: Education, Health, Waste, Emergency Management & Entertainment

Morning 07:00

Evening 19:30

EET, UTC+2

December 26, 2026 to January 31, 2027

Online Discord Community Workshop

Interactive project data deep-dives.

Two-hour workshop. Timing to be agreed.

January 31, 2027

FINAL PROJECTS SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Official global contest matrix lock.

Apply for Core Program

OPEN SEMINARS

Space Builders Briefings

Public Auditor Sessions

Free access to focused aerospace industry briefings.

Access Open Seminars
October 12, 2026

Funding & Resources

Evening 19:30

EET, UTC+2

David Schuman

USA. NASA Office of General Counsel (retired). Views are personal.

November 2, 2026

Shielding

Morning 07:00

EET, UTC+2

Shubhay Shah

Los Angeles, USA. 1st Prize Winner, 10th Grade.

November 9, 2026

Energy, Artificial Gravity & Materials

Evening 19:30

EET, UTC+2

Assan Tabyldy

Kazakhstan. 1st Prize Winner, 10th Grade.

November 16, 2026

Blender Design

Evening 19:30

EET, UTC+2

Brebenaru Carina

Romania. 1st Prize Winner, 10th Grade.

Blender Architecture Lead.

November 23, 2026

Thrusters, Docking Points & Internal Transportation

Evening 19:30

EET, UTC+2

Assan Tabyldy

Kazakhstan. 1st Prize Winner, 10th Grade.

December 18, 2026

Project Design

Evening 19:30

EET, UTC+2

Brebenaru Carina

Romania. 1st Prize Winner, 10th Grade.

Project Design Lead.

Access Open Seminars

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior aerospace or coding knowledge to join?

No. The academy is designed to take you from absolute scratch. All you need is curiosity and a basic understanding of English.

How much time do I need to allocate weekly?

The program is flexible. Your weekly timeline looks like this:

  • Weekly Lectures: 40-60 minutes per week.
  • Open Seminars: 30-40 minutes (only when scheduled).
  • October Work: 1-2 hours/week researching past winning projects.
  • November Work: 2-3 hours/week starting your project chapters.
  • December Work: 5-6 hours/week writing the core text and 3D layout.
  • January Work: 6-7 hours/week finishing all chapters and submitting.

Is the USA trip mandatory for all participants?

No. Traveling to the ISDC Space Conference in the USA is completely optional. You can fully graduate, build your project, and receive your National Space Society certificate entirely online.

Who will guide me during the program?

You will be managed directly by past international contest winners and top award attendees. They know the structure needed to build a high-scoring project.

What do I get at the end of the academy?

You will receive an official certificate from the National Space Society if your team submits a complete space settlement project.

What specific certificates and diplomas can I earn?

Depending on your choices and project results, you can earn up to four official recognitions:

  • Participation Diploma: Issued by the National Space Society for a complete project submission.
  • Prize Certificate: Awarded if your project wins a top place in the global competition.
  • ISDC Conference Diploma: Issued if you choose to travel and register for the event in the USA.
  • Volunteer Certificate: Awarded if you complete official volunteer activities during the conference.

What are the costs involved in this program?

The budget is clearly divided into core program costs and optional travel expenses:

  • AEROTECH Academy: The registration fee for the core preparation course.
  • Contest Entry Fee: 15 USD per project/team, paid directly to enter the global competition.
  • ISDC Registration (Optional): Ticket fee, applicable only if you choose to attend the event in the USA.
  • USA Travel & Hotel (Optional): Travel costs for you and the group leader. You only pay this if you decide to travel with the team.