Pupils Win National Finals of the UK Space Design Competition

Published by Chigwell School on Friday 13th of March 2026

Students Win National Finals of the UK Space Design Competition

Congratulations to Lawin, Raima and Dexter, who achieved an outstanding victory at the National Finals of the UK Space Design Competition last weekend.

The three Year 12 pupils secured their place in the National Finals after their team won the Regional Finals at the University of Nottingham in November. Their success at the national stage is a remarkable accomplishment and reflects their exceptional skill, commitment and teamwork.

The National Finals took place over two days at Imperial College London, where pupils from across the country were brought together to form large collaborative ‘companies’. Each company was set an ambitious, industry‑style brief: to design a fully functioning lunar farming settlement using harvested and refined lunar ice as the primary resource.

As part of the challenge, students had to consider permanent habitation, opportunities for lunar tourism, and the full lifecycle of materials, components and construction methods required for long‑term sustainability.

The winning proposal - located within the Shackleton Crater at the lunar south pole - featured a sophisticated modular dome configuration designed to allow for natural expansion as lunar living grows. The students’ concept addressed every aspect of settlement functionality, drawing on advanced engineering principles, technical innovation and creative problem‑solving.

Lawin, Raima and Dexter made significant contributions to their company’s success, demonstrating impressive expertise in CAD design, engineering analysis, design thinking and professional presentation skills. Their hard work, insight and teamwork were key factors in securing the national title.

The trio now await news on whether they have been selected to join the UK team for the International Finals, held at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida this July.

The pupils reflected: "Being pushed to think like real engineers was inspiring. We had to solve problems we’d never even considered before, and that made the win even more rewarding" and "The scale of the challenge was incredible. Working with students from across the UK to design a real lunar settlement felt like stepping into the future. Winning the National Finals still doesn’t feel real!".

Head of DT, Mrs Jermyn said: "It was inspiring to watch them shine. Their teamwork, innovation and resilience were outstanding, and they represented the school with real distinction. We couldn’t be prouder."

Well done to all three students — an exceptional achievement and a source of great pride for our school.