Empowering the Next Generation: Insights from the ACHIEVED Competition Supporting Students and Young Space Professionals

The ACHIEVED Competition is an initiative designed to engage students and young professionals in addressing critical challenges within the space sector. Following the success of its pilot edition in 2024, the second edition, themed "Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth," has been launched, furthering its mission to cultivate responsible and sustainable space practices. This initiative aligns with the objectives of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) by fostering innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of future leaders in the space industry. ACHIEVED Competition 2025 provides a structured six-month framework in which teams develop solutions to pressing space challenges. These challenges are categorized into three primary areas related to ensuring longevity in space operations, strengthening Earth through Space, and designing the foundations of life beyond Earth. Unlike traditional theoretical-only frameworks, ACHIEVED offers a flexible and dynamic environment where participants learn by doing, applying their knowledge to real-world space challenges. Indeed, the competition structure foresees three design reviews, similar to a real-life space project, namely the Mission Design Review (MDR), the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and the Critical Design Review (CDR), where a board of professionals represents the review board and provides the team with direct feedback. This process, together with the integration of continuous mentorship from SGAC and industry experts, ensures continual progress and refinement of solutions. After the CDR, the top three teams, one per challenge, are invited to the Grand Final event, the culmination of the competition, where teams showcase their innovative approaches in front of a panel of judges, and the ultimate winner is announced. This paper explores how the ACHIEVED Competition serves as a catalyst for skill development and innovation within the young space workforce. Through hands-on problem-solving, mentorship, and expert feedback, participants gain valuable industry insights while contributing to the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. The competition’s interactive and applied nature fosters a sense of responsibility and awareness among emerging space professionals, reinforcing the importance of ethical and sustainable space exploration. By highlighting the outcomes and lessons learned from the pilot edition and introducing the objectives and structure of the upcoming second edition, this work underscores ACHIEVED’s role in shaping the future of space sustainability. The initiative is carried out under the guidance of the Educational & Professional Development (EPD) Platform of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), reinforcing its commitment to nurturing the next generation of space leaders.