What is the Portugal Space Prize Challenge?
Young people from all over the country will submit applications consisting of a well-crafted essay and video in the hope of winning what will certainly be a life-changing experience.
In addition to the grand prizes, the winners and finalists will also have access to opportunities such as a private reception at UN headquarters, exclusive internships, access to space education courses, study trips with industry experts, and more.
Applications will be reviewed by a specially selected panel of space industry experts and gender equality advocates.
CHALLENGE TASKS
Round 1: Prompt
What role will you play in space exploration? Building rockets or space elevators? Piloting a spacecraft that transports people to Mars to help establish a new world on the planet, or building new outposts there, or in space, or perhaps on the Moon? Mining materials on an asteroid to send back to help Earth? Building a low-gravity sports complex on the Moon where you can fly under your own power with strapped-on wings? Share with us in 1000 words or less what you imagine your role could be as humanity moves into space!
Round 2: Video
In a well-produced video of 90 seconds or less, tell us: What is your first name, your age, and where do you live? Tell us what excites you about the possibility of exploring weightlessness in a zero-gravity flight?
Timeline
The journey begins this spring. Prepare your materials and get ready to join a global community of students competing for a chance to lead in the new space economy.
Don’t miss your window to apply. Ensure all essays and project requirements are submitted by this deadline to be considered for our 2026 cohort of space pioneers.
The program culminates in an elite, hands-on training experience. Selected finalists will head to Space Camp this summer to develop the skills needed for a multi-planet future.
The program culminates in an elite, hands-on training experience. Selected finalists will head to Space Camp this summer to develop the skills needed for a multi-planet future.
The program culminates in an elite, hands-on training experience. Selected finalists will head to Space Camp this summer to develop the skills needed for a multi-planet future.
The ZeRO-G experience
The ultimate prize for winners of the essay competition, offering the life-changing opportunity to feel weightlessness on a parabolic flight. This extraordinary mission allows participants to experience the same environment used by astronauts for training, bringing the reality of space exploration directly to the next generation of pioneers.
