PROJECT
HYPERION
Design Competition

Design for Centuries

Project Hyperion explores the feasibility of crewed interstellar travel via generation ships, using current and near-future technologies. A generation ship is a hypothetical spacecraft designed for long-duration interstellar travel, where the journey may take centuries to complete. The idea behind a generation ship is that the initial crew would live, reproduce, and die on the ship, with their descendants continuing the journey until reaching the destination. These ships are often envisioned as self-sustaining ecosystems, featuring agriculture, habitation, and other necessary life-support systems to ensure survival across multiple generations.

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Key Information

Download Brief

Competition Timeline

Competition announcement : 1st of November 2024

Inscriptions until: 15th of January 2025

Phase 1 Deadline : 2nd of February 2025  New Deadline: 9th of March 2025

Phase 2 Deadline : 4th of May 2025 

Winners Announcement : 2nd of June 2025

Eligibility: Open to all individuals and teams worldwide. We particularly encourage the participation of student teams.

Team Composition

To ensure interdisciplinary collaboration, teams should include:

One architectural designer (architect, designer, etc.)
One engineer
One social scientist (e.g., sociologist, anthropologist)

These roles are flexible. A short bio and team organization description must be submitted with the registration form.

Competition Structure

Phase 1: Concept Development

Submission of initial designs and narratives addressing the generation ship's habitat layout, systems, and societal framework.

Shortlisted teams will proceed to Phase 2.

Phase 2: Detailed Design

Comprehensive designs, technical details, and visual presentations of the generation ship.

Teams must provide detailed plans for architecture, technology integration, and societal models.

For all questions, please contact info@i4is.org

Prizes

Prize fund

$10,000 (USD)

1st Place

$5,000

2nd Place

$3,000

3rd Place

$2,000

10 honorary mentions (or less if number of teams is insufficient)

Registration

Registration fee: $20

Inscriptions will be accepted until 15th of January 2025

Q&A

Please feel free to ask your questions on our Discord Server.

Discord

About Us

Project Hyperion works on a preliminary study that defines integrated concepts for a crewed interstellar starship or generation ship. The study aims to provide an assessment of the feasibility of crewed interstellar flight using current and near-future technologies. It also aims to guide future research and technology development plans as well as to inform the public about crewed interstellar travel.

We are an international, interdisciplinary team with expertise in architecture, engineering, anthropology, and urban planning.

We've had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names in R&D, including NASA, ESA, and MIT. Our expertise in interstellar travel has earned us a reputation as leaders in our field.