Altogether 120 entries from all over the globe have been
received for the science fiction story-writing competition
announced by ESA last November. The Clarke-Bradbury
International Science Fiction Competition is named after
two writers whose stranger-than-fiction ideas have
sometimes become fact.

David Raitt, of ESA’s Technology Transfer and Promotion
Office, says, "ESA launched this competition to try and
attract younger people to science and technology.
Besides being fun and encouraging people to contribute
creative ideas, the competition also raises awareness
about Europe’s space programme".

Entries have been received from 36 countries in Africa,
Asia, Australasia, South America, North America and, of
course, Europe. An international jury is now at work
judging the entries using four criteria:

  • imagination — innovative ideas and the ability to think ‘outside the box’
  • technology — convincing use of technology in the story
  • structure — development of storyline, plot and characters
  • skills — style, clarity of expression and degree of realism

Raitt is one of the jurors and reports: "it is amazing
the imagination shown by the writers, who are often
very young. I have just started reading the stories
and am really enjoying them."

The winning entry will be presented at the 54th
International Astronautical Federation Congress, to
be held in Bremen, Germany in October. All finalists
will also receive autographed copies of books written
by Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Bradbury, whose work has
inspired writers and scientists alike.

After the competition ESA is hoping to publish a book
containing the best and most interesting stories,
illustrated with material from its own archives as
well as that of the Maison d’Ailleurs, the museum of
science fiction, utopia and extraordinary journeys,
and one of the competition’s organisers.

More information

* Take a chance to write the future
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/ESARJJ8OS7D_index_0.html
* ITSF competition
http://www.itsf.org/index.php?PAGE=contest%2Findex.html

Related articles

* BR-176 brochure: Innovative Technologies from Science
Fiction for Space Applications (pdf)
http://esapub.esrin.esa.it/br/br176/BR176.pdf

Related links

* ESA’s Technology Transfer Programme
http://www.esa.int/technology/

* ITSF homepage
http://www.itsf.org/

* HighLift Systems — Space Elevator
http://www.highliftsystems.com/

* Maison d’Alleurs: Museum of science fiction, utopia and
extraordenary journeys
http://www.ailleurs.ch/

* MoonFront
http://www.moonfront.com/

* The Ours Foundation
http://www.ours.ch/

IMAGE CAPTIONS:

[Image 1:
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/SEMSQH5V9ED_index_1.html]
The ‘Clarke-Bradbury International Science Fiction
Competition’ in honour of two of the greatest science
fiction writers of all times — Arthur C. Clarke (below)
and Ray Bradbury (above). Both Clarke and Bradbury have
fascinated the minds of millions of young and old
people around the planet and inspired space scientists
and explorers with their extraordinary stories.

[Image 2:
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/SEMSQH5V9ED_index_1.html#subhead1]
Earth as seen from a space elevator. Credits: Brad
Edwards and HighLift Systems