Project Hyperion has launched an international competition for the design of a space ark, which is an interstellar ship capable of serving as a home for multiple generations of Earthlings on their journey to distant worlds.
The concept of interstellar travel, envisioned for centuries, was first proposed by American rocket science pioneer Robert Goddard. He spoke about the idea of creating a self-sustaining space vessel with a closed ecosystem where multiple generations of crew could live their entire lives on the way to their destination.
The competitive application process will be open from November 1, 2024, to June 2, 2025. Unlike traditional space projects, the primary focus here is not on propulsion systems, but on developing a comfortable living environment and a sustainable social structure for the future interstellar community.
Each team must consist of at least three specialists: an architect, an engineer, and a sociologist. They are tasked with designing living quarters and developing a social structure model that can maintain stability for centuries.
The mission duration specified in the competition rules is 250 Earth years. The target destination will be a rocky planet where an automated probe will prepare an artificial ecosystem for the incoming colonists.
The spaceship design must simulate Earth’s gravity through rotation, maintain a breathable atmosphere, and provide reliable protection against cosmic radiation and meteorites. The crew size may vary from 500 to 1,500 people during the journey.
Projects will be evaluated based on technical solutions as well as aesthetics. Teams must thoroughly plan the functionality of living spaces, life support systems including food production and waste management.
Social planning will also be a key factor in the assessment, with participants required to establish a set of cultural values and rules to promote harmony within the enclosed environment.
The competition is divided into two stages, with the first ending on February 2, 2025, and the second concluding on May 4 of the same year. Winners will be announced on June 2.
Organizers believe that the competition will help assess the feasibility of interstellar travel considering current technologies and future advancements. The results will guide further research in this field.
If successfully implemented, this project could mark a significant milestone in astronautics, paving the way for interstellar travel regardless of average life expectancy limitations.