With over 100 different clubs at UHS, one that stands out for its unique mission is the Spaceset Club. This club focuses on designing space settlements and residential cities in space.
For the annual Spaceset competition, participants simulate aerospace industry workers by creating a space settlement design based on a Request for Proposal released yearly. Each team creates a proposal for these settlements with several sections, including structures, automation, business and human factors.
University High School’s Spaceset team, operating since 2007, has consistently made a mark at regional and international competitions, helping to create unforgettable experiences among members. Being part of such a hands-on initiative has been uniquely rewarding for sophomore Aarna Dusane, who recently competed in the regional Space Settlement Design Competition (SSDC).
“One of my most memorable moments from Spaceset has been competing in our regional competition,” Dusane said. “The whole process of collaborating to work on our [Request for Proposal], watching our team present, and listening to Anita (co-founder of SSDC) critique our proposal is a memory I’ll never forget.”
Beyond regional events, UHS’s Spaceset team has frequently qualified for the prestigious International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC), held at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and sponsored by NASA partners. Spaceset Club President senior Keira Choe expressed the invaluable international experience this competition offers.
“Prior to Covid, our team went in-person to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida where ISSDC is held,” Choe said. “ISSDC brings teams from different parts of the world like the US, Australia, India, Pakistan, Spain, Italy and Brazil.”
Another unique aspect of Spaceset is its collaborative, team-based format, where students can work together to accomplish shared goals. This has allowed the team to form a tight-knit community with people with the same passion.
“Not only does Spaceset give hands-on experience into the space settlement design industry, it also brings a sense of community being able to work with like-minded individuals,” Dusane said.
Overall, Spaceset is an extremely enjoyable and rewarding experience. Sophomore Hetvi Thakhar recommends that anyone interested in aerospace give it a chance.
“[Spaceset] is one of the few clubs at UNI that I feel personally connected to,” Thakhar said. “I highly recommend others to join because the people are very friendly and it is a great example of what this [the aerospace] industry does.”
