Launch of the 2024 Space for Sustainability Award
In brief
Space and sustainability are key topics of the 21st century. Do you want to create a positive impact on this area? The Space Sustainability Award is for you!
In-depth
The Space for Sustainability Award was created in 2012 to raise awareness and ideas about how space can contribute to the sustainable development of Europe and the world. The competition is open to anyperson between the ages of 18 and 30that resides, studies or works in Europe or an ESA member state.
The top prize this year is a trip to the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, to attend a rocket launch as a VIP guest.
What should my project idea look like?
All submissions are expected to be innovative, creative, and have a clear link to space. Proposals should also have a clear link to at least one of the sustainability aspects that are currently being developed by ESA. Europe should be the focus of the project; however, this is a preference, and not mandatory. Finally, the project must not be yet developed. You can find the competition guidelines here.
Process
You can participate as an individual or a small team of up to four people. Candidates must submit posters that summarise their project ideas by 5 May 2024. A board of ESA experts will evaluate the posters, selecting a shortlist to proceed to the next round. If a project idea advances to the second round, the submitters will be notified on the 25th of May 2024, and will be asked to share a short report detailing their proposal by the 23rd of June 2024.
A high-level jury of external experts on sustainability, innovation, and space will assess the reports and select a first prize and a special mention of the jury. The selected projects will be announced at the September 2024 plenary session of the European Interparliamentary Space Conference (EISC) in Luxembourg, where they will be invited to present their project to European political and space-sector representatives.
About last year’s winner
Congratulations to José Pedro De Sousa Ferreira, who won the 2023 award with his project idea, “Spacecraft Reentry as a Source of Atmospheric Pollutants.” In it, he proposed a methodology to measure the environmental impact of spacecraft disintegration in the atmosphere. He presented his proposal during the 2023 EISC plenary in Vienna.
Apply
Starting now you can apply through our registration page. The deadline is the 5th of May 2024 to submit your poster.
Great ideas start with you, apply now!
More information
For more information, visit the Space for Sustainability website or contact marion.mirailles@ext.esa.int.