MARS HABITAT DESIGN HACKATHON

The Mars Habitat Design Hackathon at the British Interplanetary Society The idea of Mars Colonies and settlement is quickly moving from the realm of science fiction to reality. NASA recently ran 3-D Prited Habitat for Mars Competition, Bjarke Ingels Group is building Mars Science City simulation in UAE and there are other initiatives underway. While people have mixed opinions about this pursuit, it is clear that if and when this happens, we have to collectively ensure to take our best learnings and practices from Earth. This opens an opportunity to improve things for the better, both for starting a new branch of civilization on Mars and for improving things here on Earth. Mars Society London (MSL) is creating a unique 2-day hackathon at the British Interplanetary Society to encourage and help multidisciplinary teams put together Mars habitat designs, that can be submitted in the Mars Colony Contest.  This event will be a unique opportunity to learn and get feedback and guidance from the industry experts and to work in teams with people bringing a combination of skills and thinking towards the goal of designing a first human settlement on Mars. We are particularly keen to hear from people who feel they can contribute in the following areas:Technical Design: (40%) What systems will be used? How will they work?Economic: (30%) How can the colony be made economically successful?Social/Cultural: (10%) What should Martian society be like? What kinds of schools, arts, sports, and other activities, should there be? How, given a fresh start, can life on Mars be made better than life on Earth?Political/Organisational: (10%) How should the colony govern itself?Aesthetic: (10%) How can the colony be made beautiful? ---ABOUT The Mars Colony Contest The International Mars Society is holding a contest for the best plan for a Mars colony of 1000 people. There will be a prize of $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second and $2,500 for third. In addition, the best 20 papers will be published in a book “Mars Colonies: Plans for Settling the Red Planet.” ---NOTE: Participation in this event does not immediately qualify you for any of the above prizes. You have to put together a written proposal and send it to the International Mars Society as part of the contest to be considered. The goal of the hackathon is to support you, through mentors and speakers and having a collaborative environment and venue to work on this, in putting together a design, and the beginnings of a proposal, that you can then submit for the contest if you choose to. Full Details about the contest here:  http://marscolony.marssociety.org/ or https://www.marssocietylondon.com/marscolonyprize/  Disabled Access Please note, there is very limited disabled access within the BIS building. At the front door, there is a ramp which will allow wheelchair access to the front of the building. (Once inside, it is step-free to the conference room). We regret that there is no disabled access to either the Gents or Ladies toilets. The other rooms, including the Council Room, all involve stairs and are not suitable for some disabled people.