University of Toronto Space Design Contest
The University of Toronto Space Design Contest (UTSDC) is a competition hosted by a group of volunteers at the University of Toronto. It features the challenge of designing a space-related system (eg. Space station, lunar base, etc.). The OCESS has participated one and a half times in the UTSDC. This participation is one of the factors that led to the University of Toronto sponsoring the Galileo Challenge.
Point Five
In 2005-06 Mission Commanders Stephen Smith and Crystal Xiao attempted several times to form a UTSDC team, but ultimately failed. They did send away to the competition, however, voicing their hope that the OCESS might be permitted to participate in the future and expressing their desire, as student-led space-oriented organizations, to work together in some form in the future. The UTSDC responded by sending a letter expressing similar sentiments as well as a box of competition T-shirts.
Second Place
In 2006-07 the OCESS UTSDC team led by then Mission Commander Brian Foo won second place overall as well as best technical report for their space-hotel design. Team members also enjoyed a tour of the university's as part of the pre-planned competition activities, and were treated to an additional tour by spacesim alumnus and former Mission Commander Daniel Kekez, who is currently employed at UTIAS.
Team members were Brian Foo, Stefan De Young, Alex Foo, Jonathan Scothorn, and Guangye Cao.
Networking
After Brian's teams success, current EEP Commander Jeff Gao used the access to the University of Toronto gained by his fellow spacesim members in order to negotiate a partnership with the University to ensure province-wide distribution of the Galileo Challenge.
2008 Contest
Spacesim has assembled a team together for the 2008 contest, consisting of Anthony Xing, Ben Paul, Daisy Wong, Maclean Rouble, and Arthur.
