Future Worlds Challenge
Design a settlement or mission and defend it to a panel.
Innovation & Research
Research that reaches beyond Earth
Thirteen programmes across resources, satellites, robotics, medicine, energy and habitation, open to students and partners.
Near-Earth object
Illustration
Illustration
Innovation & Research
Space Resources Observatory
A research desk that maps and characterises resources on the Moon, asteroids and Mars using open mission data. It publishes resource atlases and tracks missions that prospect for water and metals.
- Lunar polar water-ice mapping
- Open resource atlas for educators
- Mission and policy tracker
Innovation & Research
Asteroid Mining and Lunar Resources
Studies the engineering and economics of extracting water, metals and regolith. Samples returned from asteroid Bennu in 2023 showed how rich in carbon and water such bodies can be.
- Extraction and processing concepts
- Propellant production from water ice
- Cost and logistics models
Innovation & Research
Satellite and CubeSat Development
Student and partner teams design, build and test small satellites. A CubeSat is made of 10 cm units, which keeps cost low enough for universities and schools to fly real hardware.
- 3U CubeSat reference design
- Ground station network
- Launch partner coordination
Innovation & Research
Earth Observation and Climate Intelligence
Turns open satellite imagery into practical information about water, forests, crops and cities. Outputs are shared with local governments, farmers and schools.
- Land-use and deforestation monitoring
- Water and drought indicators
- Urban heat and air-quality studies
Innovation & Research
Planetary Defence
Near-Earth objects are tracked and characterised so that any hazard can be seen decades ahead. In 2022 NASA’s DART mission showed that a spacecraft impact can change an asteroid’s orbit.
- Orbit determination from public observations
- Citizen-science asteroid campaigns
- Deflection mission studies
Innovation & Research
Space Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Rovers, landers and robot arms that must act without a human in the loop. We test perception and planning in simulated terrain and on a Mars-yard testbed.
- Autonomous rover navigation
- Terrain classification with machine learning
- Robotic sampling and assembly
Innovation & Research
Space Medicine
Studies how spaceflight changes the human body and how to protect crews. Microgravity affects bones, muscles, vision and the immune system, and radiation exposure limits mission length.
- Bone and muscle loss countermeasures
- Radiation shielding and monitoring
- Telemedicine for remote crews
- Sleep and psychology in isolation
Innovation & Research
In-Space Manufacturing
Microgravity allows materials that cannot be made on Earth, such as ultra-pure optical fibres and some crystals and alloys. Research here also covers 3D printing of spares and structures in orbit.
- Additive manufacturing in orbit
- Fibre and crystal growth
- Recycling of spacecraft materials
Innovation & Research
Space Energy and Propulsion
Better propulsion and power systems shorten journeys and enlarge payloads. Programmes cover electric propulsion, solar sails, nuclear thermal concepts and beamed and orbital solar power.
- Ion and Hall-effect thrusters
- Solar sails for small spacecraft
- Power for lunar nights
Innovation & Research
Space Habitats and Life Support
A crew needs air, water, food and shelter for months or years. This programme studies closed-loop life support, regolith-based construction and radiation-safe habitat design.
- Water and air recycling
- Plant growth systems
- Lunar and Martian habitat layouts
Innovation & Research
Interstellar Exploration Concepts
The nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, is about 4.4 light-years away. This long-horizon programme studies the physics of very fast probes, from laser-driven light sails to fusion concepts.
- Laser-driven light sails
- Communication across light-years
- Targets among nearby exoplanets
Innovation & Research
Research Projects and Publications
Current and planned work, with outputs published openly where possible.
In planning
Resources
Lunar water-ice atlas
A teaching-grade map of polar resources built from open mission data.
In planning
Satellites
SPACE 1 CubeSat-1
A student-built 3U mission concept moving through design review.
In planning
Robotics
Rover autonomy testbed
Open simulation environment for learners and researchers.
Ongoing
Publication
Research briefings
Short, plain-language summaries of key papers for the Knowledge Hub.
Innovation & Research
Innovation Challenges
Orbit Clean-up Challenge
Propose practical ways to reduce debris or extend satellite life.
Resource Prospectors
Use mission data to select the best lunar site for a water-extraction plant.
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