Summary

We are only just beginning to consider long-term habitation on the Moon and Mars, but what would be required in the distant future for successful exploration of even more remote planets or the icy moons of the gas giants, such as Saturn’s moon Titan? Your challenge is to create an educational game (digital or analog) that poses these challenges, explores potential solutions, and inspires new generations of space explorers.

Background

Our current plans to explore the solar system include potential long-term habitation on the Moon and Mars, but what might we do in a thousand years? Could humankind venture farther away from the Sun to explore other planets or icy moons of the gas giants, such as Saturn’s moon Titan? What would be required to ensure successful human exploration of such destinations? What technology, logistics, and preparation would be needed, and above all—how would we deal with changes in gravity, harmful atmospheres, and lack of sunlight? What would habitats on these distant destinations in the solar system look and feel like for those who live there?

Long-distance human space exploration and human habitation far from Earth will involve coping with numerous challenges including microgravity during flight and hypergravity during launch and landing, health risks caused by increased radiation, emotional effects associated with being far from Earth, disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms, limited supplies and access to medical care, long-distance communication delays, accessibility issues, and many, many more.

Objectives

Your challenge is to create an educational game (either digital or analog) focusing on human exploration and habitation of a planet or icy moon in the solar system about 1000 years in the future. How can your game address the challenges and adventures that future space explorers may experience? The target audience for your game may range from kindergarteners to adults. The main goals of your game may be to excite players about human space exploration, educate them about the very long-term planning that is required, and interest them in learning more about both mission design and the effects of spaceflight on the human body.

Potential Considerations

When developing your game, you may (but are not required to) consider the following:

Although this challenge is titled, “Titan City, 3023” you may design a game that takes place on another icy moon or planet in the solar system or even outside the solar system. As long as you explain your choices, your imagination is the limit!
You can develop any type of game.
Your game may be played by a single player, multiple players in competition, or a team working together.
You may extrapolate the risks on Titan from what is known about the risks for lunar and Mars exploration and the conditions on Titan (see Example Resources).
If you choose to develop a digital game, consider making your submission a web application to ensure it is accessible to a worldwide audience.

For data and resources related to this challenge, refer to the Resources tab at the top of the page.

NASA Space Apps 2023

Titan City, 3023