SEDS USA chapters to undertake a groundbreaking effort in digitally documenting ISS collaboration while improving future space projects, using giga-program management platform Integrate.
Denver, CO, October 4, 2024 – Today at Space Vision 2024, an ambitious project was announced that promises to reshape how we document and learn from humanity’s greatest achievements. For the first time ever, the entire program management process used to construct the International Space Station (ISS) is set to undergo a full-scale digital recreation, giving students, engineers, scientists, and space developers a powerful new insight into the unique complexities that are inherent in building programs of this magnitude.
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) chapters across the country are set to embark on “The Ambitious Machine Challenge,” a year-long contest where participants will compete in an array of categories while simultaneously collaborating to document the build of one of humanity’s greatest engineering feats; one that coordinated the efforts of five space agencies, fifteen nations, and thousands of engineers over a period of twelve years.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for SEDS members to apply their knowledge and leadership to one of the most iconic space projects ever undertaken,” says Sara Alvarado, SEDS Executive Director. She calls it “a unique chance for students from any and all disciplines to immerse themselves in the future of aerospace program management while contributing to the preservation of space history.”
Participants will digitally recreate the planning of each ISS module using Integrate, a program management software built specifically for developing the world’s most ambitious machines and the only application capable of handling this kind of giga-program. Historically, managing complex projects like the ISS meant juggling security, roadmaps, and countless tasks and timelines across different tools and teams, making the process fragmented and inefficient. With Integrate, this can all be done on a single platform, enabling a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive view of the entire ISS project.
By putting the full scale and scope of the program in one place, current and future space developers will be able to better identify and avoid the planning failures that once plagued the ISS build. While digital twins and simulations are often used for design and operational purposes, this type of recreation of the program management processes for such a complex project will help future generations use those lessons to shape more efficient, successful programs going forward.
“This effort isn’t just preserving the technical marvel of how the ISS was built, although that’s certainly one outcome,” shared John Conafay, CEO of Integrate and former Executive Director of SEDS. “It’s also a way for us to understand and improve upon how such a complex program was managed. For the first time, we’re bringing the full scope of program management into focus, while giving students an opportunity to experience and learn from the collaboration efforts that built the ISS.”
Teams will compete for cash prizes and tickets to Space Vision 2025. Additional awards will be presented for innovation and collaboration, recognizing standout contributions.
Contest Timeline and Participation
- Intent to Participate Deadline: October 15, 2024
- Kickoff Webinar: October 16, 2024
- Judges Announced: October 30, 2024
- Midpoint Review (Problem Scenario): March 2025
- Final Submission Deadline: June 2025
- Presentations and Judging: July/August 2025
- Winners Announced: September 2025
For more information on the contest or to register your intent to participate, visit the website.
About Integrate
Integrate is the only program management tool built specifically for the complicated workflows of modern hardware development teams. Founded in 2022, Integrate streamlines collaboration, increases security, and enhances project oversight, making it the ideal choice for teams working on complex, large-scale projects. With a growing roster of clients including ISAR Aerospace, Nanoracks, US Space Force, Marotta, Hubble Network, Quantum Space, Lumen Orbit, and more, Integrate empowers teams to manage their programs with unparalleled precision, security, and efficiency. For more information, visit Integrate’s website.
About SEDS
SEDS is an independent, student-based national and international 501(c)3 non-profit organization cultivating excellence, passion, and inclusion in the next-gen space workforce. SEDS pursues this mission by educating people about the benefits of space, by supporting a network of interested students, by providing an opportunity for members to develop their leadership skills, and inspiring people through their involvement in space-related projects. SEDS believes in a space-faring civilization and that focusing the enthusiasm of young people is the key to humankind’s future in space. To find more information visit SEDS website.
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