Space Works Challenge: A Milo Space Science Institute Capacity Building Program

The Milo Institute at ASU has established structured programs to build the capacity necessary to support space missions. A new program, called Space Works Challenge, is patterned on the highly successful ASU Space Works program. Space Works Challenge is implemented over 12-weeks using a live, virtual platform is designed to fill the recognized gap between foundational academic discipline learning and skills needed to succeed in the commercial space sector. The program provides the framework and requirements for teams to ultimately produce a space commerce roadmap and a demonstration of critical functionality. The space commerce roadmap shows how they are prepared for investment, market capture, and - potentially - direct participation in space missions. Critical functionality is demonstrated via prototypes, computer models, or through cumulative work published in the public domain. In the Design Review (week 4), teams present to a review panel the design, performance metrics, budgets, schedule, and test plan. Review panels consist of space professionals from academia, industry, and government who evaluate the design and progress toward completion, provide constructive feedback, and help identify and address risks. A Test Readiness Review (week 10) demonstrates meeting requirements for safety, system demonstration, system operation, documentation, and mission assurance. Each team submits a video that documents pre-defined functions and features of the prototype system. The program culminates with a demonstration event called Demo Day, where teams present their business roadmap and demonstrate capability through a series of live tests.