2025 - 10th Anniversary Year

Mars 2040

SPACE COMPETITION 2025

Imagine a future where humanity thrives on Mars…

Arts and Business College of London (ABC London) and Space Store’s annual Space Competition is back for 2025!

We’re inviting 12-19 year old innovators, creators, and visionaries globally to design a futuristic, artificial habitat that overcomes Mars’ extreme environment.

Life on Mars will be a testament to human resilience, ingenuity, and our ability to thrive beyond Earth’s boundaries.

Competition Overview

Imagine a thriving habitat on Mars in the year 2040. Your challenge is to design a futuristic, artificial habitat where humans can live, work, and thrive despite Mars’ extreme environment. Think big. How will humanity adapt to life beyond Earth?

Your ideas and solutions will need to think about:

  • Building for survival: Design habitats to withstand extreme Martian conditions.
  • Resource management: Create efficient systems for air, water, energy, and waste.
  • Using advanced technology: Incorporate new ideas to push the boundaries of design and technology.
  1. Please register by clicking the link below and filling out a short registration form.
  2. Our team will carry out a short security check.
  3. Within 3 days, you will receive a Confirmation Letter of entry, plus instructions on how to submit your entry.

All students aged between 12-19 can apply. Students can enter individually or as part of a small group.

Students aged 12-15 need to provide consent from a parent, teacher or guardian.

The competition is free of charge and there are no requirements of previous experience within the space industry!

  1. Innovation and Creativity. How original and imaginative is the concept? Does the design incorporate ground breaking ideas or technologies to address the challenges of living on Mars?
  2. Sustainability. Does the habitat demonstrate effective resource management for air, water, energy, and waste? How well does the design integrate renewable energy and systems to manage resources?
  3. Feasibility and Practicality. Is the design achievable with foreseeable technology and resources by 2040? How well does the proposal address the technical and environmental challenges of Mars?
  4. Aesthetic and Functional Design.
    How visually compelling is the habitat’s layout and architecture? Does the design balance beauty with functionality in extreme Martian conditions?
  5. Presentation and Communication. How clearly and effectively is the concept explained and illustrated? Are visuals, diagrams, and supporting materials engaging and easy to understand?
  •  

1st Prize

Scholarships for Oxford Summer School 2025

2nd Prize

Space-themed gifts and merchandise from Space Store

3rd Prize

50% off from ABC London’s Online Space Course

Mars' rugged, red landscape offers both challenges and inspiration, shaping the vision of humanity's next frontier.

Key Dates

25th JANUARY 2025: Competition Open

31st MARCH 2025: Entries Close

1st - 8th APRIL 2025: Judging Process

16th APRIL 2025 (TBC): Online Live Top 10 Presentations

22nd APRIL 2025 (TBC): Winners Announced

About Arts and Business College of London (ABC London)

ABC London was set up by a team of industry skilled academics to serve the UK, EU and International student community with the very best that the UK education has to offer. We believe that creativity, innovation and business education are essential for success in this ever-changing world. Background theory is essential to learning and understanding concepts, however, we firmly believe that only relevant industry time-served staff can provide students with the skills necessary to gain their full potential – this is why ABC London do not employ tutors that have just passed through courses then enrolled straight into teaching. They must have relevant practical working experience in the area they intend to teach.

ABC London – Making Future Leaders

About Space Store

Established in 2017, Space Store are on a mission to bring the wonders of space closer to everyone. Combining education, inspiration, and innovation, we create immersive experiences that ignite curiosity about the universe. We work with NASA & ESA Astronauts, Engineers and Scientists, leading space companies across the UK/Europe and Oxford University professors as part of our programmes.

OUR PARTNERS

A big thank you to our competition supporters that are inspiring young people around the world.

Competition Judges

Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, born on January 13, 1949 in Punjab, is India’s first astronaut. A distinguished pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF), Rakesh was selected for the Intercosmos space program in 1984, a collaborative mission with the Soviet Union.

Sharma flew aboard the Soyuz T-11 spacecraft to the Salyut 7 space station, spending eight days conducting scientific experiments in space.

Rakesh Sharma’s accomplishments earned him the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime military decoration. After retiring from the IAF, he contributed to the aerospace and defence sectors, leaving a legacy as a pioneer of Indian space exploration.

Naruo Kanemoto is a Japanese entrepreneur and the CEO/Founder of Space Shift, Inc., one of Japan’s first multinational space startups. With a background in machine learning, Kanemoto’s career journey spans from the music industry to the space sector, giving him a broad range of skills and experiences. In 2009, he established Space Shift, which focuses on developing software for satellite data analysis using AI and machine learning.

Beyond his leadership at Space Shift, Kanemoto is also involved in consulting for non-space companies, helping them integrate space technologies into their businesses. He is a member of the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ Conference on Space x ICT and the Future Vision of Space Utilisation, contributing to the direction of space-related policies and innovations in Japan.

Shri A. S. Kiran Kumar is Chairman, Physical Research Laboratory Management Council and Member, Space Commission, Govt of India.

He has served as Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation, during 2015-2018.

Shri Kiran Kumar, born on October 22, 1952 in Hassan, Karnataka, holds M.Sc. Degree in Physics (Electronics) from Bangalore University and M.Tech. Degree in Physical Engineering from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

He has steered the implementation of the applications oriented Indian Space Programme, which has facilitated rapid development of the country in many important spheres of earth observation, communication, navigation, meteorology and space science, as well as the development of indigenous launch vehicles and related technologies for providing assured access to space. He has led design and development of more than 50 Electro-Optical Imaging Sensors flown on various Space borne platforms starting from Bhaskara in 1979. Further, his role in the success of Chandrayaan-1 mission and Mars Orbiter Mission has been significant.

Ms Alexandra Vidyuk – Singapore 
 
Founder – Space Ambition
 
General Partner – Beyond Earth Technologies 
 
Space Ambition is a world-class space technology research centre that collaborates with space agencies, investors, start-ups, and other industry players. They have cutting-edge insights through their industry-leading blog, which boasts over 9,000 subscribers.
 
Space Ambition offer due diligence and research services, as well as advisory support for entrepreneurs. Additionally, they provide fundraising assistance and comprehensive coverage of important events in the industry.
 
Ms Alexandra Vidyuk’s most recent education was from the prestigious LSE, London School of Economics in Leading Businesses and Functions. 
 
Prior to that she studied Masters in Engineering at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Engineering, before moving onto the Leadership Development Program at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, in England. 
 
Prof. Paul is Founder of ABC London and the Online Space Competition. He has over 30 years of international commercial experience, of which half overlaps in the world of academia.  Paul’s experience in managing multicultural teams initially came when working with Toyota, Peugeot, Lexus, Geely, Mercedes Benz, this helped pave the way into senior management positions prior to entering academia. 
 
The combination of commercial experience with a rigorous academic competence helped him deliver high-level consultancy projects across Europe, GCC and Asia. This developed into an expertise in IPR & International Entrepreneurship, which he used to help over 35 new start-ups and is regularly in demand to deliver talks at world class organisations. He is a Life member of the Oxford Union, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), Branch Chair of the District of Bloomsbury in London, and Founder of the London – Oxford Summer Schools, of which 120 overseas medical & science students attended in 2024. 
 
Due to the latter’s popularity, he is launching a new Medical Pre-University MMBS course during 2025.  He was also one of the candidates for the position of Chancellor of Oxford University elections, and though did not win, managed to get to the semi-final stage. 
 
His interest in Space began at the age of 14 when he set up a Space Enthusiasts Club at his school and began to deliver lessons on Astronomy because there were no teachers available!
These days due to a continued passion for the subject, he has jointly developed an online Space Course and a forthcoming Space Summer School for 2025.
 
For more information regarding PB, please visit his LinkedIn profile, Paul Bhangal UK.

Stephen has over 20 years of experience working in the Space sector as a Pointing Precision Engineer, Programmatic Analyst, and Business & Economic Developer. Accomplishments include developing concept missions for Jet Propulsion Laboratory, supporting the Ultraviolet Spectrograph Instrument on board NASA’s Juno Mission, and capturing £100m+ in contracts and investment for companies he supports. Stephen is founder and CEO of an exciting start-up Space Store, which brings Space Experiences to schools and businesses.

Ahmed Al Ibrahim is a strategic advisor and talent management professional with extensive experience in human capital strategies and organizational change. A graduate from London, he further refined his expertise with studies at the University of Oxford in ‘Political Economy of Social Innovation’ and ‘Globalization,’ which provided him with insights into workforce dynamics and global economic trends. With over a decade of experience in talent acquisition, leadership development, and performance management, Ahmed is a CIPD and CMI certified professional. He works with international organizations, venture capital firms, and research institutions on innovation, technology and space exploration.

Founder of Global Dojo and Director of Arts and Business College Japan – dedicated to fostering critical and creative thinking skills in students through unique project-based learning programs. Gained extensive international academic experience in the United States, the Philippines, Canada, and the United Kingdom, where she identified a significant gap in critical and creative thinking within the Japanese education system.

Successfully organized a Space Day event in Japan, engaging students from primary school to A-levels.  Experienced in supporting educational institutions in both the UK and Japan, assisting providers in expanding their programs and presence across these regions. Deeply passionate about entrepreneurship, education, and space exploration. 

Karen Dong – PhD Candidate for Scientific Research into Human Psychology’
 
Miss Karen Dong is a keen scientific researcher with an MSc in International Healthcare Management at Imperial College London and a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Edinburgh.
Her academic research experience includes studies led by professors from the University of Cambridge, developing analytical skills and competence in critical thinking. Currently undertaking a psychology Art Therapy Research Project supervised by the expert Dr. Ashby, on investigating how this can aid in developing emotional regulation skills in children with multi-cultural backgrounds.
She has work experience with a Chinese pharmaceutical company during and an internship at UNESCO researching the effect of family income on the mental health and gender-specific treatment of Chinese students. Additionally, she has worked in Korn Ferry as consultant, taken part in charitable activities in the UK, and had a mentorship role as an international camp counsellor.  
Due to her research in Human Psychology, and questions around the psychological impact that space travel could have on future astronauts, she has been selected to join the esteemed Panel of Judges for the International Space Competition.

Robby is a state-of-the-art AI robot designed to inspire and evaluate the brightest minds in space exploration. Equipped with a vast database of astronomical knowledge and cutting-edge analytical capabilities, Robby has spent decades virtually exploring the universe, simulating interstellar travel, and analysing the potential for human settlement on distant planets. Robby’s core programming emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, and the principles of innovation, making it the ideal judge for our space competition. With sensors tuned for fairness and an algorithm to identify ground breaking ideas, Robby ensures every participant’s work is evaluated with precision and enthusiasm. When Robby isn’t judging competitions, it enjoys charting new stars in its virtual cosmos and encouraging the next generation of explorers to reach for the stars. 

R. Sharma - Retired Astronaut

Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, born on January 13, 1949 in Punjab, is India’s first astronaut. A distinguished pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF), Rakesh was selected for the Intercosmos space program in 1984, a collaborative mission with the Soviet Union.

Sharma flew aboard the Soyuz T-11 spacecraft to the Salyut 7 space station, spending eight days conducting scientific experiments in space.

Rakesh Sharma’s accomplishments earned him the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime military decoration. After retiring from the IAF, he contributed to the aerospace and defence sectors, leaving a legacy as a pioneer of Indian space exploration.

Naruo Kanemoto is a Japanese entrepreneur and the CEO/Founder of Space Shift, Inc., one of Japan’s first multinational space startups. With a background in machine learning, Kanemoto’s career journey spans from the music industry to the space sector, giving him a broad range of skills and experiences. In 2009, he established Space Shift, which focuses on developing software for satellite data analysis using AI and machine learning.

Beyond his leadership at Space Shift, Kanemoto is also involved in consulting for non-space companies, helping them integrate space technologies into their businesses. He is a member of the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ Conference on Space x ICT and the Future Vision of Space Utilisation, contributing to the direction of space-related policies and innovations in Japan.

Shri A. S. Kiran Kumar is Chairman, Physical Research Laboratory Management Council and Member, Space Commission, Govt of India.

He has served as Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation, during 2015-2018.

Shri Kiran Kumar, born on October 22, 1952 in Hassan, Karnataka, holds M.Sc. Degree in Physics (Electronics) from Bangalore University and M.Tech. Degree in Physical Engineering from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

He has steered the implementation of the applications oriented Indian Space Programme, which has facilitated rapid development of the country in many important spheres of earth observation, communication, navigation, meteorology and space science, as well as the development of indigenous launch vehicles and related technologies for providing assured access to space. He has led design and development of more than 50 Electro-Optical Imaging Sensors flown on various Space borne platforms starting from Bhaskara in 1979. Further, his role in the success of Chandrayaan-1 mission and Mars Orbiter Mission has been significant.

Ms Alexandra Vidyuk – Singapore 
 
Founder – Space Ambition
 
General Partner – Beyond Earth Technologies 
 
Space Ambition is a world-class space technology research centre that collaborates with space agencies, investors, start-ups, and other industry players. They have cutting-edge insights through their industry-leading blog, which boasts over 9,000 subscribers.
 
Space Ambition offer due diligence and research services, as well as advisory support for entrepreneurs. Additionally, they provide fundraising assistance and comprehensive coverage of important events in the industry.
 
Ms Alexandra Vidyuk’s most recent education was from the prestigious LSE, London School of Economics in Leading Businesses and Functions. 
 
Prior to that she studied Masters in Engineering at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Engineering, before moving onto the Leadership Development Program at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, in England. 
Prof. Paul is Founder of ABC London and the Online Space Competition. He has over 30 years of international commercial experience, of which half overlaps in the world of academia.  Paul’s experience in managing multicultural teams initially came when working with Toyota, Peugeot, Lexus, Geely, Mercedes Benz, this helped pave the way into senior management positions prior to entering academia. 
 
The combination of commercial experience with a rigorous academic competence helped him deliver high-level consultancy projects across Europe, GCC and Asia. This developed into an expertise in IPR & International Entrepreneurship, which he used to help over 35 new start-ups and is regularly in demand to deliver talks at world class organisations. He is a Life member of the Oxford Union, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), Branch Chair of the District of Bloomsbury in London, and Founder of the London – Oxford Summer Schools, of which 120 overseas medical & science students attended in 2024. 
 
Due to the latter’s popularity, he is launching a new Medical Pre-University MMBS course during 2025.  He was also one of the candidates for the position of Chancellor of Oxford University elections, and though did not win, managed to get to the semi-final stage. 
 
His interest in Space began at the age of 14 when he set up a Space Enthusiasts Club at his school and began to deliver lessons on Astronomy because there were no teachers available!
These days due to a continued passion for the subject, he has jointly developed an online Space Course and a forthcoming Space Summer School for 2025.
 
For more information regarding PB, please visit his LinkedIn profile, Paul Bhangal UK.

Stephen has over 20 years of experience working in the Space sector as a Pointing Precision Engineer, Programmatic Analyst, and Business & Economic Developer. Accomplishments include developing concept missions for Jet Propulsion Laboratory, supporting the Ultraviolet Spectrograph Instrument on board NASA’s Juno Mission, and capturing £100m+ in contracts and investment for companies he supports. Stephen is founder and CEO of an exciting start-up Space Store, which brings Space Experiences to schools and businesses.

Ahmed Al Ibrahim is a strategic advisor and talent management professional with extensive experience in human capital strategies and organizational change. A graduate from London, he further refined his expertise with studies at the University of Oxford in ‘Political Economy of Social Innovation’ and ‘Globalization,’ which provided him with insights into workforce dynamics and global economic trends. With over a decade of experience in talent acquisition, leadership development, and performance management, Ahmed is a CIPD and CMI certified professional. He works with international organizations, venture capital firms, and research institutions on innovation, technology and space exploration.

Founder of Global Dojo and Director of Arts and Business College Japan – dedicated to fostering critical and creative thinking skills in students through unique project-based learning programs. Gained extensive international academic experience in the United States, the Philippines, Canada, and the United Kingdom, where she identified a significant gap in critical and creative thinking within the Japanese education system.

Successfully organized a Space Day event in Japan, engaging students from primary school to A-levels.  Experienced in supporting educational institutions in both the UK and Japan, assisting providers in expanding their programs and presence across these regions. Deeply passionate about entrepreneurship, education, and space exploration. 

Karen Dong – PhD Candidate for Scientific Research into Human Psychology’
 
Miss Karen Dong is a keen scientific researcher with an MSc in International Healthcare Management at Imperial College London and a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Edinburgh.
Her academic research experience includes studies led by professors from the University of Cambridge, developing analytical skills and competence in critical thinking. Currently undertaking a psychology Art Therapy Research Project supervised by the expert Dr. Ashby, on investigating how this can aid in developing emotional regulation skills in children with multi-cultural backgrounds.
She has work experience with a Chinese pharmaceutical company during and an internship at UNESCO researching the effect of family income on the mental health and gender-specific treatment of Chinese students. Additionally, she has worked in Korn Ferry as consultant, taken part in charitable activities in the UK, and had a mentorship role as an international camp counsellor.  
Due to her research in Human Psychology, and questions around the psychological impact that space travel could have on future astronauts, she has been selected to join the esteemed Panel of Judges for the International Space Competition.

Robby is a state-of-the-art AI robot designed to inspire and evaluate the brightest minds in space exploration. Equipped with a vast database of astronomical knowledge and cutting-edge analytical capabilities, Robby has spent decades virtually exploring the universe, simulating interstellar travel, and analysing the potential for human settlement on distant planets. Robby’s core programming emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, and the principles of innovation, making it the ideal judge for our space competition. With sensors tuned for fairness and an algorithm to identify ground breaking ideas, Robby ensures every participant’s work is evaluated with precision and enthusiasm. When Robby isn’t judging competitions, it enjoys charting new stars in its virtual cosmos and encouraging the next generation of explorers to reach for the stars. 

Competition Administrators

Past studies: English Literature, English Language, Religious studies, History, Mathematics, Triple Science, Food Technology and French.

Excellent organizational and communication skills. Three years teaching with Arts & Business College of London online to young students in China, Japan, India and the UK. Excellent at planning, organising events, public relations, social media and working with children & young adults. Mia will be involved in the welfare and feedback from entrants and providing guidance and advice for teachers , parents, guardians towards successful completion of the students projects.

After completing his BEng in Aerospace Engineering, Lakshya went straight into employment with Space Store’s Head of Operations. Lakshya is an experienced web developer and has excellent skills in IT, this coupled with being a good communicator, has helped organisations improve clarity and functionality of their operational systems.
 
His role in this competition is one of ensuring that the originality, functionality and security of the competition continue to operate seamlessly from start to finish. 

Coco Liu serves as an administrator for ABC London’s space competition, managing social media for the China market, verifying participant submissions, and sending welcome emails. Awaiting her master’s graduation in Statistics from Nottingham University, Coco has joined as an intern under Prof. Paul’s guidance. Based in China, she brings a strong background in social media management to the team, ensuring a seamless experience for participants.

Past studies: English Literature, English Language, Religious studies, History, Mathematics, Triple Science, Food Technology and French.Excellent organizational and communication skills. Three years teaching with Arts & Business College of London online to young students in China, Japan, India and the UK. Excellent at planning, organising events, public relations, social media and working with children & young adults. Mia will be involved in the welfare and feedback from entrants and providing guidance and advice for teachers , parents, guardians towards successful completion of the students projects.
After completing his BEng in Aerospace Engineering, Lakshya went straight into employment with Space Store’s Head of Operations. Lakshya is an experienced web developer and has excellent skills in IT, this coupled with being a good communicator, has helped organisations improve clarity and functionality of their operational systems.
 
His role in this competition is one of ensuring that the originality, functionality and security of the competition continue to operate seamlessly from start to finish. 

Coco Liu serves as an administrator for ABC London’s space competition, managing social media for the China market, verifying participant submissions, and sending welcome emails. Awaiting her master’s graduation in Statistics from Nottingham University, Coco has joined as an intern under Prof. Paul’s guidance. Based in China, she brings a strong background in social media management to the team, ensuring a seamless experience for participants.

Your challenge is to design a futuristic, artificial habitat that overcomes Mars’ extreme environment.

Registration Form

Further information

  • Eligibility: The competition is open to individuals of ages 12-19. Participants under the age of 16 must obtain permission from a parent, teacher or legal guardian before entering.
  • Submission Deadline: All entries must be submitted by 31/03/2025. Entries received after the deadline will not be considered.
  • Entry Requirements: Each participant may submit only one entry. All entries must be original and created by the participant.
  • Prizes: The prizes, including, gifts from the space store, discounts on the space store and a certificate are predetermined and cannot be exchanged for cash or any other alternatives.
  • Judging: All decisions made by the competition’s judges are final. No appeals or disputes will be entertained.
  • Ownership: By entering the competition, participants grant the organisers the right to use their entries for promotional purposes without further compensation.
  • Plagiarism and Copyright: Plagiarism, including the use of copyrighted material without proper attribution, is strictly prohibited. All entries must adhere to copyright laws.
  • Privacy: Personal information collected during the competition will be used solely for the purpose of the competition and will not be shared with third parties.
  • By registering, participants agree to be emailed by ABC London and Space Store. If you sign up to any mailing lists you can unsubscribe at any time.
  • Disqualification: The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any entry that violates these terms and conditions or is deemed inappropriate or offensive.
  • Liability: The organizers are not responsible for any technical issues, lost or delayed entries, or other circumstances beyond their control.
  • Changes to Terms: The organizers reserve the right to amend or modify these terms and conditions at any time. Any changes will be communicated through the competition’s official website.
  • Legal Compliance: All participants must comply with local laws and regulations. The competition is subject to the laws of the United Kingdom.
  • Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Participants are prohibited from using artificial intelligence or any automated tools to generate or enhance their entries. All submissions must be the original work of the participant.
  • Fair Play and No Cheating: Any form of cheating, including plagiarism, collusion, or using unfair means to gain an advantage, will result in immediate disqualification.
  • Contact Information: By submitting their email address, participants give consent to the organisers to contact them for competition-related announcements, updates, and results.
  • Responsibility for Entries: Participants are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of their entries. Any issues or errors in their work before submission are the sole responsibility of the participant. Submissions cannot be modified or updated after the deadline.
We are dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all participants in this competition. We take safeguarding seriously and are committed to protecting the well-being of everyone involved, especially young participants.If you have any questions or need to report a safeguarding issue, please contact us at space@abclondon.org.uk.Your safety and well-being are our priority.
We are committed to making this competition accessible to everyone. If you require any accommodations or support to participate, please let us know, and we will do our best to assist you. This includes providing materials in alternative formats, offering flexible submission options, or addressing specific needs.Feel free to contact us at space@abclondon.org.uk to discuss how we can ensure your participation is as seamless and inclusive as possible.
We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. Any data collected during the competition, such as contact details or submissions, will be used solely for competition-related purposes and will not be shared with third parties without your consent.We store your information securely and retain it only as long as necessary to fulfill competition requirements. For more details or to request changes to your data, please contact us at space@abclondon.org.uk.

Get in touch

If you have any questions or queries, please get in touch with us at space@abclondon.org.uk.

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