The government’s think-tank NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has launched the ‘ATL Space Challenge 2021’ for students of Classes 6 to 12.

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to launch the ATL Space Challenge 2021 for young students during World Space Week from October 4 to 10.

Dr. Sudheer Kumar, Director, Capacity Building Programme Office, Isro, Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, Niti Aayog, and CBSE Chairman Manoj Ahuja were present at the virtual launch of the space challenge on Monday.

The challenge is open to students from both ATL and non-ATL schools, and teams of three can participate in the ATL Space Challenge 2021. The challenge is being hosted with an aim to enable innovation among young school students across the country to learn and engage in creating new, efficient, and innovative solutions for specific, real-world challenges in the Space sector and develop solutions that address the key problem areas of the challenge. Students who secure top positions will be presented with opportunities and prizes at the conclusion of the challenge.

Important dates

ATL Space Challenge 2021 by Niti Aayog

ATL Space Challenge 2021: Themes

Each team is required to select one problem which falls under one of these categories given below.

  • Explore Space – gaming technology, app development, robotics

  • Reach Space – 3D technology, artificial intelligence or machine learning in space, space apps

  • Inhabit Space – 3D technology, healthcare, AI/ML in space

  • Leverage Space – geospatial technology, drone Technology, visualize data.

Eligibility

  • Students from both ATL and non-ATL schools from Classes 6 to 12 can submit their entries in the space challenge
  • “We encourage ATL schools to also include other school and/or community students within the Team Composition,” says the website
  • School teachers, ATL In-charges and mentors may support the student teams
  • A maximum of three students and one school teacher or ATL in charge are allowed in each team
  • Individual entries are not allowed
  • If a team exceeds three members, their application will be cancelled.

How to Apply for ISRO, CBSE and NITI Aayog ATL Space Challenge 2021?

Interested and eligible candidates will have to submit applications on the official website before 30 September 2021. The following are some of the rules that need to be followed:

  • Each team can consist a maximum of three students, and if the team size exceeds the 3 member limit, the entry or submission will be immediately disqualified.
  • Individual entries will not be allowed.
  • The solution or innovations by the student teams must be aligned to any one of the Challenge Themes in the space sector.
  • Each unique solution must be submitted under one theme only. Submitting the same solution or innovation under multiple themes will result in immediate disqualification.
  • The final innovation can be a physical or digital solution such as App, Game, 3D Design, and so on, which must be developed using any of the ATL module or platform that is open for all or on any open-source or free platform.

ATL Space Challenge 2021: Prizes

“The top teams shall be recognized with interesting opportunities and prizes at the conclusion of the challenge,” the official website says.

ATL Space Challenge 2021: What is the challenge about?

The space challenge is being geld to commemorate the contributions made in the field of space science and technology