Space Canada Mission Statement

The 2023 International Space Solar Power Student Competition

*** The deadline for abstract submission of 2023 project team proposals is April 16, 2023 ***

The 2023 International Space Solar Power Student Competition is a global, undergraduate and graduate level annual event presented by SPACE Canada, in partnership with the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Power Committee, National Space Society (NSS), and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), is in its seventh year.

The competition will encompass multiple disciplines, but will be focused this year around a particular Solar Power Satellite concept considered as a stage one for the achievement of this technology. During 2023, the focus will be on modular microwave wireless power transmission (WPT) and Solar Power Satellite (SPS) concepts applicable to upper atmosphere/LEO, demonstrator ground to device or between device ground testing and proof of concept.

• architecture level system design activities, cost-benefit studies, environmental footprint studies, etc.;
• end-to-end energy concepts & technology (including wireless power transmission (WPT), solar power generation and distribution, etc.);
• structural systems, in-orbit assembly, controls and dynamics technology, and modeling of these considerations;
• flight and/or space transportation technology and engineering for the SPS (including Earth-to-orbit or in-space transportation and/or propulsion);
• ground systems and integration

• the potential value of SPS in reaching goals to mitigate climate change issues; and,
• near-term demonstration of relevant SPS concepts and technology;
• mid-term demonstrations of relevant SPS concepts and technology (for example in low Earth orbit);
• space resources utilization for SPS;
• space policy, legal and regulatory considerations across all of the above (including international cooperation, spectrum management, space debris, etc.); and,
• financing concepts for SPS systems and development.

Abstracts can be submitted through the registration button below.

This year of this new competition will be staged this year in three rounds:

• Step 1: Initial proposals and selection of project teams to participate initially in the competition.
• Step 2: Presentations of initial project results by the chosen semi-finalists. For those able to travel, semi-finalists projects shall be presented in person at the International NSS Space Development Conference (ISDC), to be held this year during May 25-28, 2023 in Dallas-Frisco, Texas. For those unable to travel due to restrictions, online presentation options will be arranged, for example using zoom.
• Step 3: Presentations of the finalists’ project results will be at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2023) Space Power Symposium – this year to be held in October 2-6, 2023 in Baku, Azerbaijan – followed by selection of a winner for the year. Again, it is expected that for those able to travel, finalist projects will be presented in person at the IAC 2023;

1. Up to six teams will be considered for selection as semi-finalists (Step 2 above) following which the Judges will select the finalists in this year’s competition.
2. Support for travel to the ISDC in Dallas-Frisco, Texas, USA will be provided for semi-finalist teams totaling up to USD $1,500 per team in expense reimbursement, with the actual amount to be determined based on the location at which the student team is based.
3. Support for travel to the IAC 2023 will be provided for the finalist teams totaling up to $4,000 per team in expense reimbursement, with the actual amount to be determined based on the location at which the student team is based.
4. For teams that are unable to attend events above due to travel restrictions, cash prizes will be awarded; these cash prizes will not exceed 50% of the travel support amount per team as shown above. Specific amounts will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
5. IAC 2023 submitted papers and presentation slide decks from all teams will be posted on the SPACE Canada website to become part of the literature of space solar power for the dissemination of knowledge for the benefit of the public.
6. As a prize, team leads for each finalist team will also be invited to attend the Space Generation Congress 2023, the SGAC's annual meeting held in conjunction with the International Astronautical Congress.

If you have any question about the acceptability of your prospective topics, feel free to contact us at: .

For full details and rules guiding the Competition, see the 2023 announcement.

The deadline for abstract submission of 2023 project team proposals is April 16, 2023.

Please confirm that you wish to participate under the terms of the competition for 2023.