Chapters
Chapter Competitions
National competitions open to every SEDS chapter — from research and pitch tracks to partner-sponsored challenges.
Current Competitions
Space Development for Earth Challenge (2026)
CurrentSponsored by the Planetary Sunshade Foundation. Teams develop proposals for lunar industrial operations and space megaprojects — planetary sunshades, solar power satellites, space data centers, telescopes, and launch assist structures.
Prizes include cash and SpaceVision gala tickets.
Applications close March 2nd, 2026
Research Symposium
CurrentChapters showcase research to the SEDS community. The top three projects receive monetary awards.
2025 1st place: Duke University.
Learn more →
Business Pitch Competition
CurrentA pitch competition for space industry innovation ideas.
2025 1st place: University of Michigan.
Learn more →Past Competitions
Space For All Spring Challenge
PastAn archived chapter competition tied to the Space For All initiative.
Club For the Future SEDS Postcards
PastA partnership initiative with Blue Origin's Club for the Future enabling chapters to send postcards to space.
Virtual Graduate School Application Bootcamp
PastAn archived programming event supporting chapter members applying to graduate school.
SpaceVision Art Competition
PastAn archived art competition held alongside SpaceVision.
2023 winner: Samantha Bechtel, Portland State Aerospace Society Chapter (pen on paper).