Logbook
International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC) — July 24–28, 2025
Summary
General Overview of the Experience
The journey of the Spanish team at ISSDC 2025 combined technical learning, international leadership, and intense multicultural teamwork. From the initial trip and adaptation to the final delivery, oral defense, and victory in the company Vulture, the experience left an indelible mark both professionally and personally.
- Day 1–2: travel, arrival, adaptation, and team cohesion.
- Day 3–4: official start, creation of international companies, and full-speed technical development.
- Day 5: final delivery and defense, with Spanish leadership and victory in Vulture.
Day 1 — Thursday, July 24
Travel and Arrival in Florida
Seven of the nine Spanish representatives traveled from Madrid to Orlando (via Dallas). The other two joined the group on Friday. The team stayed near the Kennedy Space Center, the competition venue. Pablo and Enrique accompanied them as volunteers and mentors.
Day 2 — Friday, July 25
Complete Team and First Dynamics
The two remaining students arrived, completing the group of nine. First contact with the international environment, though no technical activity yet. A day dedicated to active rest, bonding, and building team cohesion.
Day 3 — Saturday, July 26
Official Start of the Competition
Opening talk at the Kennedy Space Center (by John Bates) on teamwork, time management, and communication. Formation of international companies: Vulture, Flechtel, and Dougledine. Challenge: design a settlement on Venus focused on extracting materials and gases. Role assignments, brainstorming, and RFP analysis.
Day 4 — Sunday, July 27
Full-Speed Work and a Decisive Night
An intense day of technical development (center in the morning and hotel in the afternoon): moving from ideas to concrete solutions, system design, specific calculations, and 3D models. Diverse roles in structures, missions, business & marketing, etc. Despite the natural tensions of a multicultural environment, collaboration prevailed. The deadline was set for 07:00 the next day.
Day 5 — Monday, July 28
Final Presentations, Emotion, and Farewell
On-time delivery after an intense night. Oral defenses in the auditorium: 30-minute presentation + 10 minutes of questions by the jury. Spanish students played a prominent role, including presenting 3D designs of high technical quality. The company Vulture —with Yilin, Nuria, Giselle, Jorge L., Jorge R., and Jose— won. Closing ceremony with medals and photos. The experience ended with fatigue, pride, and deep satisfaction.