DESIGN THE FUTURE. FROM South Africa TO SPACE.
SOUTH african Space Design Competition
Are you in high school?
passionate about space?
want to win a trip to nasa?
The South African Space Design Competition is a multidisciplinary industry simulation where secondary school learners design and present a futuristic space settlement, building real-world STEM and teamwork skills in a fast-paced challenge.
How It Works
Every team follows the same process from idea to presentation:
1) Form A Team
Recruit 4-12 students ages 14-18 from a school and register with a teacher as your supervising adult.
2) Get The Brief
Your team’s supervising adult will be emailed competition details and preparation materials to have a read through before competing.
3) Design & Collaborate
Split your team up into departments to tackle design requirements. Work together to produce a presentation!
4) Submit & Present!
Present your design to a panel of judges. Top candidates from the winning teams will be invited to the ISSDC in Florida, USA.
Roles To Suit Everyone!
Being an industry simulation event, the ZASDC packs in roles for students of all academic interests, with the only prerequisite being a passion for space!
Whether you’re an aspiring architect or engineer in the Structures Department, a young entrepreneur in Business and Marketing, a future doctor or psychologist in Human Factors, or a scientist in Operations, there’s a place for everyone.
Even the best designs need storytellers! Artists and writers who turn ideas into persuasive, visually stunning presentations to impress the judges.
Mission Systems
Oversee how every part of your settlement connects and functions together. Mission Systems keeps the big picture in focus and ensures the entire design works as one system.
Structures
Design the physical layout and buildings of your space settlement. You’ll decide how it’s built, where everything goes, and how people live safely and comfortably in space.
Operations
Make sure your settlement runs smoothly! This team handles power, transport, production, and essential daily systems — keeping everything efficient and functional.
Business/Marketing
Turn your ideas into a company. You’ll manage your team’s budget, brand, and presentation, and make the case for why your settlement design deserves to win. Work on selling your settlement to the judges.
Human Factors
Focus on the people. This team designs how settlers eat, sleep, work, and stay healthy - managing psychology, medicine, and community wellbeing in space.
Presentation & Design
You are the storytellers of your company. You’ll transform complex technical work into a clear, compelling presentation using visuals, slides, and confident communication.
Around The world
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Around The world 〰️
A Global Event
The ZASDC is part of an international network of Space Design Competitions held across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, and Europe. Each national competition challenges students to tackle real-world engineering problems. This all leads up to the International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC), held every July.
Winning teams from these national events, including a select team of students from the ZASDC, are invited to represent their country on the world stage at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA - the historic home of human spaceflight for over 50 years.
This extraordinary experience brings together some of the brightest young minds from around the globe to collaborate, compete, and design our future in space.
African Space Design Competition
United Kingdom Space Design Competition
Asian Regional Space Design Competition
Australian Space Design Competition
Space Settlement Design Competition
European Space Design Competition
Ready To build your team?
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Join a team of 4–12 students from your school (or form one with friends from nearby schools). You’ll take on roles in engineering, design, business, or human factors. Work together to design a futuristic space settlement.
You don’t need to be a “science genius” - creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving matter most!
Winning teams may have the chance to represent South Africa at the International Finals at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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The ZASDC provides a structured, curriculum-aligned STEAM enrichment experience for high school learners.
Teachers can register a school team, act as a team supervisor, or simply encourage students to apply.
We’ll provide everything your students need - from the official competition timeline and guidelines to preparation resources/materials.
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We are always on the lookout for help! We welcome students, mentors, judges, and industry professionals who are passionate about STEAM and education.
Volunteers can support remotely or in person by reviewing submissions, offering technical guidance, helping at the digital and in-person national finals event and more.
If you’d like to get involved, register your interest using the form below or reach out via our Contact page.