A team of 12 students of Class XII of Amity International School, Noida, has won the International Space Settlement Design Competition, organized by NASA. Amity International School, Noida was a part of the company named “Vulture Aviation” which was declared the international winner for the year 2021-22 and included participants from three other schools- Combined Schools USA, Combined Schools UK and Islands International School, Buenos Aires, Argentina. This is the third time that Amity Noida has bagged this coveted title, the previous ones being in 2015 & 2020.

The finalists were asked to design the first large settlement, named “Anconioh”, on the surface of the planet Mercury, wherein the students were required to propose the design, development, construction, and operations planning, which would provide a safe and pleasant living and working environment for 8,000 full-time residents, and up to 800 temporary visitors.  In order to avoid extreme environmental conditions on Mercury, the Project was also designed to take care of the settlement that could move around the planet, staying within 6° longitude of the terminator (line between day and night).

Delighted at this glorious victory, Dr. Amita Chauhan, Chairperson, Amity International Schools, said, “It is a matter of great pride that for the year 2022, Amity International School, Noida, the only school from India emerged as the winner adding another feather in its cap. Amity Schools provide every possible avenue for Amitians to face the challenges head on and leave a trail of victory in all spheres of learning. The teachers of Amity always support, motivate and guide the students and prepare them well for all national and international contests. Amitians have proved beyond doubt that they have the ability, desire and expertise to repeatedly win such coveted international competitions.”

Congratulating the students, Mrs. Renu Singh, Principal, Amity International School, Noida, said, “We are extremely proud of our students who have once again etched their name in gold at the Space Settlement Design Competition 2022 which is floated by NASA and Boeing every year. The immense motivation from honourable Founder President, Dr Ashok K. Chauhan and Chairperson Dr (Mrs.) Amita Chauhan, has once again propelled our students towards an outstanding victory. The team had toiled hard, put in sincere efforts to make a mark and our brilliant set of students, displayed exemplary intelligence and dedication to win the event.”

International Space Settlement Design Competition(ISSDC) is an annual, year-long international industrial simulation of the future space industry floated by NASA and Boeing for School students. The competition organisers issue an RFP: “Request for Proposal” which is like a plea for companies to propose a solution to their problem. Students research the problem, design solutions, and then submit their proposal. Students have to clear the Nationals and The Asian Regionals before reaching the Grand Finale at the International level held at Kennedy Space Center, Visitor Complex, Florida. The competition comprises of four rounds:  Preliminary Round — Design Proposal to be sent as a 40-page report, National Quarter Final Round — Live competition held at Om Shanti Retreat Manesar, Asian Regional Semifinal Round — Live competition held at Om Shanti Retreat Manesar, International Final Round — Live competition held at Kennedy Space Centre, Florida, USA.

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