BuildUp SpaceQuestSpace Research & Experimentation Program

The program is open to students in Grades 8–12. Since places are limited, applications will be reviewed for scientific curiosity, commitment and readiness to contribute to a research and mission team.

Yes. Students can participate from anywhere in the world, and there is no in-person component.

Students do not need prior aerospace experience. However, some exposure to the pure sciences through school subjects, independent projects, competitions or extracurricular learning is strongly preferred. Students should be comfortable applying scientific concepts and thinking experimentally, although mentors will guide them throughout the process.

No. Students will first review existing research and learn about the habitat environment, its constraints and the kinds of questions that can be investigated. Mentors will then help them turn their interests into focused, testable experiment ideas.

The program is designed for a global cohort. Session timings and team arrangements will account for students participating from different regions. The final schedule will be shared with admitted students before the program begins.

Students should attend all mission-critical sessions wherever possible, as certain interactions and team decisions cannot be recreated. Recordings may be provided for standard learning sessions, but students will remain responsible for catching up with their team.

Approximately 5–6 hours per week during the main lab, including live meeting times, plus independent research and writing time. The three post-lab publication-support sessions take place after the main lab.

Yes. Five need-based grants of USD 200 each are available. Students who require financial assistance can indicate this in their application and will be asked to provide additional information for review. Grants are limited and awarded based on demonstrated financial need.

It can. Students develop an original research question, design an experiment intended for execution by an analog astronaut, analyse the observations and write a 3–4 page scientific paper. This gives them a substantive project to discuss in applications, essays, interviews and portfolios.

Yes. Students who meet the program’s completion requirements receive a BuildUp SpaceQuest Certificate. Separately, the top 1% of performers will be selected for an internship opportunity, subject to the published program criteria, and exceptional students may be considered for a personalised recommendation letter. These are decided independently and are not awarded together automatically.

No. Cohort size is limited because each student or pair requires close mentoring and coordination with the analog astronaut. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and students are encouraged to apply early.

A 3–4 page scientific paper, experiment protocol and supporting research materials. Students also participate in the analog mission research process.

The Beyond Space team will guide students in developing feasible experiments for execution by an analog astronaut in a simulated habitat on Earth.

Yes. Research may be completed individually or in pairs, with defined contributions and mentor oversight.

Students receive three additional post-lab mentorship sessions to refine their manuscript and prepare it for submission. Publication acceptance is not guaranteed.

BuildUp SpaceQuest is a shorter program focused on analog astronaut experimentation and a concise scientific paper. The flagship summer Space Lab is a separate, longer-form research offering.

Three additional publication-focused sessions cover manuscript development, feedback and submission preparation.

No previous publication experience is required. Students should be prepared to engage with scientific literature and complete research tasks.