i. Overview

Prepare to go off the planet to save the planet

GSSC will challenge students to propose innovative, entrepreneurial solutions aimed at the use of space for Earth sustainability, with the aim of tackling some of the most pressing challenges humankind is currently facing.

The Challenge is divided into 5 separate tracks, each focuses on one or more Sustainable Development Goals. Each of the tracks addresses different area where sustainable solutions are sought and each team can participate in one of the tracks:

  • Climate Action (SDG13)
  • Sustainable Food & Agriculture (SDG2)
  • Life Science & Healthcare (SDG3)
  • Sustainable Consumption and Supply Chains (SDG12)
  • Sustainable Arts, Fashion and 3D Printing

The Global Sustainability Space Challenge invites you to push the limits of our capabilities and creativity for the benefit of everyone.


ii. Who can join?

Open for teams and individual students from around the world

Teams of 4-6 students and individual students from all high schools, accredited universities, polytechnics and technical institutes from around the world are eligible to participate in the Challenge free of charge.

The eligible age for participation is 16-26 years. In the case an individual registers to join the challenge, matchmaking opportunities will be created so he/she can find a team in the area of his/her interest and preferred track.

Teams are required to be international, meaning that team members should come from more than one country. Teams are also required to be multi-disciplinary, meaning that team members shall represent more than one discipline (engineering, science, arts, business, social science, humanities…). More multidisciplinarity is recommended.

Registration opens on August 25, 2022. All submissions should be made by using the designated application form. The official language of the Challenge is English.


iii. What do I need to do?

Registration and Paper Submission (2 page)

Teams and individuals should register for the Challenge by submitting an application form that can be found at the Registration Page. There are separate forms for the registration of already formed teams and individual applicants.

Before the end of the registration period, a webinar on the introduction to the Challenge will be held to all registered and prospective participants. During the webinar, scope of the challenge, timeline, goals and other important information will be presented by organizers. The exact date of the webinar will be announced later on.

Registration deadline is extended to September 26, 2022 23:59 CEST.

The teams are required to submit a first deliverable (two pages) describing the initial idea of their project by October 6, 2022 at 23:59 CEST Click here to submit!. The first deliverable must also contain information on the final and binding composition of the team.

Series of horizontal webinars on “why space” will be held for all registered participants after the registration deadline. These webinars will serve as an introduction to the sustainability tracks and will give valuable guidance to teams on how to develop their initial proposals.


iv. Diving deeper into finding the solutions

Ideation, workshops, hackathon

10 teams per Track (50 proposals total) will be down selected by October 10, 2022 and will go to the next phase to dive deeper into the Challenge and be responsible for developing a full proposal.

Mentorship and support services will be provided to the teams participating throughout the second round of the Challenge.

The next series of workshops will be held virtually in October 2022 covering scientific, engineering and business related aspects.

On October 29-30, 2022 Metavisionaries Hackathon will be held with the aim to hack the mindset of traditional thinking fostering thinking outside the box. Teams will learn, unlearn and relearn. The focus is on helping the selected teams to further develop their proposals into full and final form.

By November 3, 2022 23:59 CEST all full proposals should be submitted for the evaluation by a Jury.


v. Final Pitching Event

Present your idea

Four teams per Track (20 proposals total) will be selected as Finalists by November 8, 2022. Between the finalists’ announcement and the final pitching event, mentoring will be provided to the teams in order to prepare for the final pitching event.
Final Pitching Event will be held on November 15, 2022 in the Metaverse ship and will be open to the general public.

At least one team member is required to present at the Pitching Event, however, all team members are encouraged to attend and participate. All presentations must be conducted in English.
Finalists will be judged by a panel of qualified judges according to a number of scoring criteria that will be provided to the finalists prior to the final event.

The Final Pitch Event will be accompanied by a public voting. In the Public Voting, members of the public worldwide (the “Voters”) are invited to vote on one of the announced finalists’ projects for each track. Voters will be asked to select the best finalist project in accordance with the voting instructions posted. Results of the public voting are valued at 20% of the overall score.

Winners of the Challenge will be announced on November 21, 2022.


vi. Prizes

Grand Prize and Track Winners

There will be 5 prizes awarded in total, 1 overall Grand prize and 4 track winners.

Prizes will be awarded based on the published evaluation and decision of the Jury as well as public voting during pitching.

Given that this challenge is focused on off-the-planet-thinking we expect project ideas – at all stages – to receive recognition and support to develop, with the ultimate goal in creation of new start-up companies and the ability to move innovation forward.


Track Winners

Track winners will be provided support to bring their project concept to space. This includes both financial and non-financial resources. From experience with other space challenges, we find that challenge winners typically can leverage this type of prize with other investment and capital infusion.

But more important than financial support, winners will receive priceless mentoring support and exposure with decision makers, large corporate sponsors and connection to partners that could catalyse their momentum.


Grand Prize

Within the finalist group, the jury will select ONE Grand Prize winner that will receive the largest financial contribution and sponsor support. The grand prize winner will be featured with media, interviews and significant public attention similar to the winners of X prize competitions.

All team members from the winning team will make and obtain a CV video with recommendations by their mentor.

Grand Prize winners will be announced on November 21, 2022 from space.