This event was completed.
1. Background
The Mission Idea Contest (MIC) for micro/nano-satellite utilization was launched in 2010 to provide aerospace engineers, college students, consultants, and anybody interested in space with opportunities to present their creative ideas and gain international attention. The primary goal of the MIC is to provide new pathways for space exploration and exploitation. Two MICs were successfully organized as part of the Hodoyoshi Project in Japan in 2011 and 2012. Potential utilizations of micro/nano-satellites were provided in the large number of submitted proposals regarding the resolution of local and global problems in the two MICs. At the same time, it was difficult to realize the mission ideas due to a lack of resources and capabilities. It was clear that people with little or no background in space engineering, but with good knowledge of other fields, face difficulty in formulating their ideas. Many lessons were learned from the past two MICs; therefore, the organizing committee of the 3rd MIC (MIC3), which will be held in Fall 2014, is inviting all satellite users and developers to participate in a Pre-MIC3 workshop. It is expected that this Pre-MIC3 will boost the quality of the submitted ideas compared with previous MICs. The Pre-MIC3 workshop will provide a unique opportunity for collaborations between users and engineers, as well as coordinators who facilitate collaborations and fund raising. The functions of the coordinators are broad and extend to international and cross-sectoral areas (e.g., government, academia, and industry).
2. Objective
The pre-MIC3 workshop will be held to assist potential applicants in improving the quality of their mission ideas, which are expected to be submitted to MIC3, and to increase the probability of realization of the mission by facilitating international collaborations between users and engineers. Thus, the Pre-MIC3 workshop will provide an opportunity for selected users, who do not yet have a satellite design, to present their ideas. The satellite developers or engineers will aid them in translating these ideas into engineered satellite missions. Pre-MIC3 will provide an opportunity for international experts and potential applicants to exchange opinions and advice to facilitate the match-making process. The proposed UNISEC-Global organization will provide a forum and opportunity to these MIC applicants.
3. Process
(1) UNISEC would like to invite eligible applicants to the Pre-MIC3 workshop during the UNISEC-Global meeting. Following the presentations and group discussions during the meeting sessions, the areas of future micro/nano-satellite development will be identified. Depending on the size of the allocated budget, a limited number of successful applicants among the satellite users (3-5 people) will be provided with financial support to cover travel costs and accommodations. The same number of applicants from the satellite developer applicant population will also have some financial support.
(2) The selection committee will screen the submitted papers. The successful applicants will be announced by the end of September 2013.
4. Requirements
The requirements for participation in the pre-MIC3 workshop for both the satellite users and developers can be summarized as follows:
(1) Satellite user applicants are required to 
submit a report on their idea of needs in approximately two pages and upload it to our website by August 20, 2013. The website will be completed soon. The successful applicants are required to give 15-20-minute presentations at the workshop.
(2) Satellite developer applicants are required to indicate their preference in response to the above needs, which will be provided in advance. In addition to their preference, their research records and achievements should be described. The total report should be approximately two pages. The report should be uploaded to our website by the end of August 2013. The successful applicants are also requested to give 10-15-minute presentations at the workshop.
5. Important Dates
- Deadline of application submission: August 20 for satellite users, August 31 for engineers
- Notification of acceptance: end of September 2013
6. Point of Contact
Rei Kawashima
University Space Engineering Consortium (UNISEC)
Central Yayoi 2F
2-3-2 Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo
113-0032, Japan
Tel: +81-3-5800-6645
Fax: +81-3-3868-2208
Email: rei(at)unisec.jp (please replace (at) with @)
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