Southwest Space Settlement Design Competition
Over the course of the weekend, students are randomly sorted into 20 - 40 person “company” teams that function as mock engineering companies. Guided by veteran engineers, each team responds to a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) by developing and presenting a comprehensive 30-minute design proposal to a panel of judges with real-world engineering experience.
The top-scoring team wins, and 12 students are selected to advance to the International Space Settlement Design Competition Finals held at the Kennedy Space Center, where they’ll compete with winners from around the globe.
Regional Director
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Ty White is an award winning Chemistry, Math and Biology teacher who got involved bringing students to ISSDC in 2018. After seeing what this event meant to his students and how it affected their perception of STEM-Identity, he got more involved in organizing the Southwest Regional Qualifier, and then started collaborating with others to create more events. Ty has a real passion for making events accessible to all students, as everyone deserves an opportunity to participate and to develop their skills working with others.
Ty.white@spaceset.org
2026 Registration
Southwest Space Settlement Design Competition
Located at the Biosphere 2 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85623
Date: January 16-18
Student check-in before 1:30
College and Career Fair 2:00-5:00
NEW --> Tours of Space Analog for Moon and Mars on Friday!
Student /School Group or Volunteer Form
2026 Biosphere (AZ)
Southwest Space Settlement Design Competition
