The goal of the Exploration Design Challenge is for students to research and design ways to protect astronauts from space radiation. NASA and Lockheed Martin are developing the Orion spacecraft that will carry astronauts beyond low Earth orbit and on to an asteroid or Mars. Protecting astronauts from radiation on these distant travels is an important -- and very real -- problem that needs solving. NASA would like your help!

Theare different challegnges for different age groups.

The NASA Exploration Design Challenge for Grades 5-8 is as follows:

Students will study the effects of radiation on human space travelers and analyze different materials that simulate space radiation shielding for Orion. After participating in activities guided by their teachers, students will recommend materials that best block harmful radiation.

All students completing the challenge can join participants from around the world to celebrate the Exploration Flight Test-1 of Orion by having their names flown on board as virtual crew members. The deadline to submit student names for the virtual crew is June 30, 2014.

The NASA Exploration Design Challenge for Grades 9-12 is as follows:

In Phase 1, students will study the effects of radiation on human space travelers and analyze different materials that simulate space radiation shielding for Orion. After participating in activities guided by their teachers, students will recommend materials that best block harmful radiation.

Students can take the challenge a step further and participate in Phase 2 where they will design shielding to protect a sensor inside Orion from space radiation. The winning design will be flown in Orion during Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1).

All students completing either phase of the challenge can join participants from around the world to celebrate the Exploration Flight Test-1 of Orion by having their names flown on board as virtual crew members. The deadline to submit student names for the virtual crew is June 30, 2014.

For more information, check this link http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/spacelife/explorationdesign/overview/index.html