Dwarf planet Ceres is seen in the main asteroid belt, between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, as illustrated in this undated artist's conception released by NASA January 22, 2014 - NASA/ESA/Handout via Reuters
DUBAI – 10 February 2018: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched on Saturday the Space Settlement Challenge, a AED2 million seed grant fund to support ambitious projects from all areas of research pursuing ideas and concepts to unlock the future of human space habitation.
The funds will be used to bankroll proposals that explore novel ideas and develop new business models for living and working in space, a statement from the World Government Summit said Saturday.
The challenge aims to attract brilliant minds from all around the world and will solicit project proposals from diverse disciplines through a next-generation platform called “Guaana”, whose innovative model dramatically reduces the time and effort required to fund seed ideas.
The Space Settlement Challenge is the first project of the newly established Mohammed Bin Rashed Centre for Accelerated Research, an initiative of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF).
“Space research is the logical next step in humanity’s search for knowledge and survival, and an advanced means to preserve human cultures, societies and economies. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Settlement Challenge we are launching today is designed to provide support for creative minds, unconventional ideas, innovative designs and research,” CEO of DFF Khalfan Belhoul said.
Photo courtesy of DFF
The challenge contains three categories; the first revolves around Space Settlement, aiming to develop plans for locations that could support a thriving sustainable settlement in space accommodating at least 100 people.
The second category, Terraforming & Space Ecology, looks into creating livable long-term environments, formulating strategies for the responsible terraforming of off-planet bodies near the Moon, Mars, asteroids and other orbital habitats.
The third category, Economics, Business Model & Governance, seeks to develop business plans for optimal economics and resource utilization, writing scenarios that identify private-sector partners interested in conducting commercial activities in space.
Applying for the challenge opened today and will last for one month.
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