Explore The Future Of Space Settlement Design

Welcome to Issue #1 of SpaceSet Connect! Your fresh ticket to the coolest stuff happening in space and beyond! We’re kicking things off with a heartfelt tribute to our founder, Anita, whose passion ignited this whole journey. Plus, get inspired by an alumni superstar making moves in the space world. Buckle up...this is only just the beginning of an epic adventure among the stars!

DONATE NOW

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Meet Apoorva Somani!

What inspired you to continue competing in the Space Settlement Design Competition (SSDC)?

I kept coming back for the pull of the International competition and the people it brought together. After forming friendships with teammates from across the U.S. and around the world, we were all fighting for the chance to work together again. It’s rare to be surrounded by so many people who are genuinely excited about solving big problems and imagining the future of human space settlement. That passion and momentum felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it gave me something to look forward to every year.

How has your involvement with SSDC shaped your view of teamwork, leadership, or problem-solving?

SSDC taught me that being a kind or enthusiastic leader is important, but not enough on its own. You have to be deliberate about how you structure communication, define responsibilities, and guide collaboration. Effective leadership means creating the conditions that allow your team to succeed, not just motivating them with words. I learned to pay attention to systems, not just outcomes. The competition showed me how crucial it is to stay organized and intentional so that everyone can contribute their strengths to the final result.

Is there a particular memory or moment from your time volunteering or competing that stands out?

The plane ride home after my first ISSDC stands out the most. I remember sitting there and realizing how much the experience had changed my understanding of what was possible for my future. I had just spent days surrounded by brilliant, kind, and passionate people; it opened my eyes to the idea that pursuing a career in the aerospace industry was not just a dream, but something achievable.

What advice would you give to students who are just starting out in the competition?

Never compromise your values or the way you treat others. The competition moves fast, and there can be pressure to take shortcuts or push too hard. Remember that how you work is just as important as the final product. The habits you build here will follow you into future teams, jobs, and projects. Focus on learning, supporting your teammates, and taking pride in how you handle the inevitable challenges you will face. Also, if you have the time, do the Qualifiers write-in. Spending months on a full 50-page written submission will grow your understanding of space settlement in a way a weekend-long competition never will. Some of my best SSDC memories are from late nights in my best friend’s basement, working on our Qualifiers proposals.

What excites you the most about the SSDC community today?

The growth of opportunities for both students and alumni is incredibly exciting. When I first participated, volunteer roles were limited, and it took a lot of effort to find a way to stay involved after graduating high school. Now the community is broadening, more accessible, and open to new contributors. It is inspiring to see the competition create more pathways for students to develop leadership experience and stay connected long after they graduate.

A Loving Tribute to Anita Gale:

Today, we come together to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Anita Gale. A visionary engineer, mentor, and founder whose imagination and dedication changed the course of thousands of young lives. Anita didn’t just teach students to dream about the future. she taught us to design it, to build it, and to believe that we could truly belong in it. From the very first Space Settlement Design Competition, Anita poured her heart into creating something far greater than an academic challenge. She built a world where students could test their limits, where teamwork and creativity mattered as much as technical skill, and where every voice, no matter how young, had the power to shape something extraordinary. Her influence reached far beyond the walls of any competition. She cultivated a community, a family, really united by curiosity, ambition, and a shared love for discovery. What began as a small gathering of aspiring engineers grew into a global network spanning continents. Through every expansion, every new regional and international event, and every student nervously entering their first design competition, Anita’s presence was there, guiding, encouraging, and reminding us why it all mattered. As someone who had the privilege of meeting her during my years competing in the ISSDC, I can say that her warmth and dedication were as powerful in person as her vision was in spirit. In 2022, during my final year as a competitor, my company won the international finals. After the award ceremony, the Argentine team gathered to thank her...not just for the competition itself, but for the inspiration and opportunities she had given us throughout the years. Before leaving, I approached her to thank her personally. I told her how much this experience had shaped me, and how honored I felt to be part of something she had created. She smiled, congratulated me for my performance, and said she’d be delighted to see me again the following year, this time as part of the next generation helping guide others. That short exchange has stayed with me ever since. Her kindness, humility, and genuine belief in young people were unforgettable. Anita believed that education should not only teach us what to know, but who we could become. She turned competition into collaboration, mentorship into friendship, and challenges into lifelong lessons. Her vision continues to live in every late-night brainstorming session, every student who dares to imagine life beyond Earth, and every alum who carries her light forward. Thank you, Anita, for showing us that the sky is not the limit, it’s just the beginning. Your spirit will forever live on in every settlement design drafted, every dream shared, and every young mind you helped lift toward the stars.

– By Kiara Micaella Escudero

Get To Know More

Global SSDC Alumni Committee

AEC is launching the Global SSDC Alumni Committee, a new leadership body designed to connect, support, and empower Space Settlement Design Competition alumni worldwide. This committee will advise the AEC Board on alumni affairs, strengthen the global SSDC network, and help expand access to competitions for students and communities who have never had the opportunity before.

Apoorva Somani will be serving as Committee Chair, helping guide the committee’s strategy, structure, and early initiatives. Logan Hanssler will serve as Vice Chair, working to establish the committee’s operations and to ensure strong ties between alumni and the broader AEC mission!

If you’re passionate about expanding the SSDC community and helping guide its next chapter, keep an eye out for announcements on how to get involved...more details coming soon!

AEC Intern opportunity!

🚀 2026 International Stakeholder Management Intern (12 month Internship – Nonprofit)

Organization: Aerospace Education Competitions (AEC)

Location: Remote 🌍 (with occasional IRL travel to epic AEC events ✈️)

Compensation: 🎟️ AEC-provided travel stipends to attend two of the four American Regionals + ISSDC; attendance at ISSDC is required (stipend support provided).

What You’ll Be Doing

🌐 Grow and steward international relationships to keep all stakeholders aligned

📝 Prepare cross-cultural training materials (briefings, one-pagers) that reflect AEC priorities

📣 Track and surface student stories that advance AEC’s mission globally

🚦 Anticipate operational risks and coordinate adjustments when plans change

🧭 Ensure smooth day-to-day operations for American Regionals & ISSDC (run of show, venues, transportation, etc.)

What We’re Looking For

✨ SSDC alum based in mainland United States

✨ Able to attend at least two American Regional SSDCs + ISSDC

✨ A+ written communication (clear, concise, human)

✨ Cultural fluency and comfort working across time zones

✨ Organized, independent and proactive

✨ Excellent follow-through; calm under pressure

✨ Passion for global access to STEM education

Perks

✈️ Travel stipends for two American Regionals + ISSDC attendance

🌍 Stay plugged into the SSDC + global STEM network

🤝 Receive 1-on-1 mentorship from industry leaders and professionals

📂 Build a portfolio employers will notice

💬 Have real influence on a global stage

How to Apply

Email your résumé, a short note on why AEC’s mission excites you and why you’re the perfect fit for this role to: Barbara.kennedy@spaceset.org, Edward.gonzales@spaceset.org, and Apoorva.somani@spaceset.org

Subject: International Stakeholder Management Intern – [Your Name]

Let’s make space for the next generation of STEM leaders — literally.

18506 Upper Bay Road

Houston, TX 77058

info@spaceset.org

Share This Email