MARS-2045 Space Games by SKOLCA School: a school-based series of international space games for SCO and BRICS+ countries.
Skolkovo Innovation Center, SKOLCA School
05.
During operations at the autonomous station, unexpected emergencies may occur. The team’s ability to respond quickly and effectively will be essential to achieving the expedition’s objectives on Mars.
04.
Six astronauts will travel to Horizon-3 Station. Their mission will be supported by specialised scientific laboratory teams and the Mission Control Centre on Earth.
03.
Three expeditions are scheduled to commission the station’s engineering systems and carry out a series of scientific experiments. A team of young engineers and scientists will take part in these missions.
02.
The settlement was named Horizon-3 Experimental Station. It is a high-tech domed city equipped with closed-loop life-support systems.
01.
In 2045, humanity achieved a breakthrough in autonomous ecosystems and established the first settlement on Mars.
Game Scenario
Rules & Conditions
System No. 3
INTELLIGENCE
objectives
restore the central Artificial Intelligence (AI) module;
configure the station’s telemetry system;
prepare protocols for analysing system failure logs;
restore communication with Earth in the event of an emergency.
equipment
Processors and PCs, communication antennas, satellite systems, neural networks, and auxiliary technical equipment.
System No. 1
ENERGY
objectives
commission the station’s power supply system;
configure the solar panels;
connect the radioisotope generator;
balance the station’s power grid.
equipment
AI-powered energy flow controller, climate control system, radiation sensors, maintenance robots, and solar panels.
System No. 2
LIFE
objectives
commission the photobioreactor system;
configure the water purification system;
connect the autonomous greenhouse;
carry out a comprehensive analysis of the station’s life-support systems.
equipment
Bioreactors, autonomous greenhouses, cultivation and analysis facilities, a portable fermenter, life-support parameter monitoring systems, bioprocess automation systems, and service robots.
Horizon-3
Station Systems
Station Systems
Robotics Engineer
Biotechnologist
Communications & Cybersecurity Specialist
Mission Control Centre Operator
Astronaut
Spacecraft Design Engineer
Creative Specialist
How the Space Games Work
Teams of six students from Grades 8–11 take part in the Space Games. Space exploration requires collaboration and teamwork, which is why mixed teams are formed on site. To successfully complete the expedition missions, each team requires the following specialists:
role:
Robotics Engineer
duties
Responsible for ensuring the operation of the station’s rovers and developing additional engineering systems depending on the challenges that arise.
skills
Has skills in programming mechatronic and robotic systems. Understands electronics and the fundamentals of engineering design and modelling.
key subjects
Physics, Computer Science, Technology
role:
Biotechnologist
duties
Responsible for maintaining the station’s life-support systems and water purification system, as well as ensuring the operation of the autonomous greenhouse and other biological systems.
skills
Has experience working with biotechnology equipment ranging from microscopes to cultivation systems. Understands plants and microalgae, chemical processes, and the factors that influence the growth and development of living organisms.
key subjects
Biology, Chemistry, Technology.
role:
Communications & Cybersecurity Specialist
duties
Responsible for ensuring the correct operation of the station’s AI systems and uninterrupted communication channels, while preventing unauthorised external interference.
skills
Has programming skills and experience working with smart-home devices. Understands communication systems and satellite data reception.
key subjects
Physics, Computer Science, Technology.
role:
Mission Control Centre Operator
duties
Responsible for communicating with the station, maintaining contact with the astronaut, and assigning tasks to be completed before the next communication session.
skills
Has strong teamwork and critical-thinking skills. Understands project management and is capable of making calm, rational decisions in critical situations.
key subjects
Russian Language, Mathematics, Technology
role:
Astronaut
duties
Responsible for all activities inside the space station module, maintaining station operations, and completing tasks assigned by the Mission Control Centre.
skills
Has basic engineering skills, including design, modelling, electronics, and programming. Can follow technical instructions and make rapid decisions in critical situations.
key subjects
Technology
role:
Spacecraft Design Engineer
duties
Responsible for developing technical solutions to resolve failures and other problems arising at the station, as well as ensuring an uninterrupted energy supply to its systems under conditions of limited power availability.
skills
Has skills in assembling solar panels and connecting related equipment. Understands electrical power generation and energy storage systems.
key subjects
Physics, Chemistry, Technology.
01 / 07
Astronaut
Horizon-3 Dome
Horizon-3, an experimental station on Mars.
Mission Control Centre Operator
Mission Control Center
The coordination center for off-world expeditions, able to communicate with the autonomous settlement on Mars and with the laboratories on Earth.
Biotechnologist
Bio Lab
Spacecraft Design Engineer
Physics Lab
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Test Site
Communications & Cybersecurity Specialist
IT Test Site
Laboratories on Earth equipped with specialized facilities. They can replicate situations and experiments taking place on Mars and send recommendations and instructions to Horizon-3 Station via Mission Control.
Role
LOCATION
PURPOSE
Participant Roles & Missions
The Space Games feature several key locations that serve as hubs for the expedition’s main engineering and scientific activities.
Each location is equipped with high-tech equipment required to solve challenges that are relevant not only in laboratory conditions, but also to the operation of an autonomous settlement on Mars.
Together, the scientific and engineering challenges completed by participants during the expedition form an integrated engineering and technological solution required for humanity to develop and operate autonomous systems for the future exploration and settlement of Mars and other planets.
Each location is equipped with high-tech equipment required to solve challenges that are relevant not only in laboratory conditions, but also to the operation of an autonomous settlement on Mars.
Together, the scientific and engineering challenges completed by participants during the expedition form an integrated engineering and technological solution required for humanity to develop and operate autonomous systems for the future exploration and settlement of Mars and other planets.
SKOLKA is a school built on an industry-oriented educational model: learning through solving real-world problems, which lets students gain hands-on experience and see how it connects to their future careers.
Event Venue:
SKOLKA
SKOLKA
Organizers & Partners
SKOLKA is the initiator of the school stage of the International Space Games, an infrastructure venue and a methodological leader in space education in Russia, and the methodologist for the biotechnology track of the ISG.
HSE University is a leading research university in Russia, the project office and operator of the International Space Games within the Space Workforce federal project under the national project “Space”.
NTI Circle Movement is a nationwide community of tech enthusiasts, educators, and winners and prize-winners of engineering competitions. It provides methodological support for the International Space Games.
National Technology Olympiad. The decision to hold the International Space Games was made by the NTO Organizing Committee, chaired by S. V. Kiriyenko and D. N. Chernyshenko.
Roscosmos is the curator of the Space Workforce federal project under the national project “Space” and a partner of the International Space Games.
RSPP (Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs) is an association of Russia’s leading technology companies and a technology partner of the National Technology Olympiad and the International Space Games.
HOW THE SPACE GAMES 2026 WENT
The winners of MARS-2045, the first Space Games for school students, won a trip to the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Over three days, high school students from leading schools in Moscow and the Moscow Region modeled the creation of a fully autonomous settlement on Mars. During the competition, participants launched a high-tech dome, kept the life support systems running smoothly and carried out a research mission.
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If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us by phone, WhatsApp, or email:
+7 (499) 450-55-00
info@skolca.ru
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