In the last year, we’ve celebrated many milestones: the 45th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s historic space flight, the 25th anniversary of the first Space Shuttle launch, and the 5th anniversary of the International Space Station. More importantly we are on the verge of launch a new chapter in space exploration, the personal spaceflight era. Towards this end we have witnessed the birth of a new generation of commercial space endeavors such as Virgin Galactic, the Ansari Spaceship Alliance, Blue Origin, Rocketplane and the Rocket Racing League. As these companies gain popularity and public attention, space exploration is taking steps towards independence from government funding and moving towards a new dimension of a public participatory experience. Plans for new spaceports in New Mexico, Singapore and the UAE prove that this is indeed a global movement.

As our newly created industry continues to evolve, we must ensure that we support the educational and leadership development of our best dreamers, our youth. The first people that will walk on Mars or mine asteriods are alive now. With new worlds being discovered regularly, new space-faring nations emerging, and private industry racing to put civilians in space, it is a safe bet that we have some unexpected changes ahead.

The Space Generation Congress cultivates young space professionals who are dedicated to making a difference, while challenging their limits and broadening their horizons. Each year, Congress delegates gather to brainstorm and implement fundamentally pertinent projects on regional, as well as global, scales. In keeping with my belief in challenges and prizes as motivator of work, I have set a challenge for these delegates: to show their strength as leaders and make an exceptional contribution to the Congress program. The prize is a scholarship to support the costs associated with traveling to Valencia, Spain. Many of these youth are the aerospace leaders of their generation, and they can use our help.

Peter H. Diamandis, M.D.
Chairman/CEO, X PRIZE Foundation
Co-Founder, Space Generation Foundation
Co-Founder, SEDS