International Astronautical Congress
Student Paper Competition
UK Selection
The UK selection of two entrants for the international finals at the IAC is carried out by the British Interplanetary Society (BIS) Space Education and Outreach Committee in joint partnership with the Institution of Engineering and Technology's (IET) Satellite Technical Network.
The UK selection process extends until after the main IAC abstract submission activity to allow students to make as much progress as possible on their project work before our selection takes place.
The annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is the world’s largest astronautics/space engineering conference, organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).
As part of each IAC, there is a student paper competition (the E2.1 Student Conference) with prizes for best papers/presentation. Papers may be on any subject related to space sciences, industry or technology and must be the work of the author(s) (no more than two students).
There are two categories: a) Undergraduate b) Postgraduate. For both categories, there is an age limit – entrants must have been no more that 28 years old on 1 January.
It is essential that you read the entry requirements before submitting an abstract.
Please click on the title or '+' to reveal extra information for the section below.
- Entry is in two categories: a) Undergraduate b) Postgraduate.
- For both categories, an age limit applies: Entrants must have been no more than 28 years old on 1 January 2022.
- All entries must be submitted via the online submission form.
- Since the abstracts will be rendered anonymous before shortlisting, do not include any information that could identify you or your affiliation (university) in the abstract text.
- Abstracts must be an original, unpublished paper, that has not been submitted in any other forum.
- Abstracts already submitted/accepted for other IAC2022 sessions may not be submitted for this competition.
- Abstracts must fit into one of the following IAC categories: Science and Exploration; Applications and Operations; Technology; Infrastructure; Space and Society.
- Abstracts must be written in English and the length shall not exceed 400 words.
- Tables, drawings and equations are not allowed in the abstract.
- Entries must be submitted by 5pm BST on 10 June 2022.
Once all the abstracts have been submitted, a shortlist will be drawn up by a panel of judges and the finalists are required to present their work at the BIS-hosted UK Selection event, where a winner and runner-up will be selected in each category.
The winner in each category is required to attend and represent the UK in the student paper competition at the IAC.
Once the abstract has been received, the student supervisor will be emailed to confirm their support for the entry.
The format of the submission should be:
- Student Name
- Student Email
- Student Age on 1 January 2022
- Category (UG or PG)
- Affiliation
- Supervisor Name
- Supervisor Email
- Paper Title
- Abstract
Fri 13 May 2022 Launch of selection/Call for abstracts
Fri 10 June 2022 Deadline for submission of abstracts
Sat 25 June 2012 Notification of shortlisted finalists
Sat 2 July 2022 Finalists to present at the BIS UK selection event (Online presentation).
18-22 Sept IAC2022, Paris
Winners are advised to register for IAC before 18 Aug 2022 to take advantage of the reduced ticket price.
WINNER ATTENDANCE at IAC2022
Entry into the UK selection will be taken to indicate agreement to represent the UK at the IAC2022 in Paris, 18-22 September 2022, if selected.
Winners are responsible for making their own arrangements to attend the IAC2022.
Each of the two prize-winners will be presented with a cheque at the IAC2022 in Paris, after the student competition has taken place.
The UK Selection is joint-funded by the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Satellite Technical Network and the British Interplanetary Society (BIS) and the prize fund is dependent on the location of the International finals.
There are two categories; a) undergraduate and b) postgraduate.
The prize money is awarded to the winners after their presentation at the Student Paper Competition at the IAC to assist with the costs of attending the Congress to represent the United Kingdom.
The IAC2022 is being held in Paris, with a prize fund of £750 per category.
SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT
BY 5pm (BST) on 10 JUNE 2022
Please allow 3-5 working days for your question to be answered.
In joint partnership: