The Clarke-Bradbury International Science Fiction Competition

Abstract

Following the enormous public interest in the review by ESA of science fiction writings, artwork and films to ascertain whether any of the concepts and technologies mentioned in the (older) SF literature could be utilized for today's spacecraft and missions it was logical to capitalize on the work in a variety of ways, including the publication of books juxtaposing some of the fascinating old SF book and magazine covers with photographs of today’s space exploration reality, and the organization of special events linking science fiction with space art and literature. The ESA study also stimulated the idea of a science fiction essay competition which was endorsed by two of the most well-known and best-selling SF authors Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Bradbury. The competition was aimed at young people who should write a short story which utilizes technology in some way. Besides being fun and getting teens and young adults to contribute creative ideas and well-thought out stories, it would also raise the awareness of the European Space Agency. In addition, an important aspect of the competition was to try and foster an interest in young people in science and technology in general and space activities in particular. The study of such topics is lagging at present and there is a danger that Europe may fall behind in scientific disciplines. The paper discusses the ideas behind the competition and its subsequent organization and gives examples of some of the concepts and technologies told in the stories submitted. INTRODUCTION The European Space Agency (ESA) recently carried out a review of science fiction (SF) writings, artwork and films to ascertain whether any of the concepts and technologies mentioned in this SF literature could be utilized for today's spacecraft and missions.1,2 There was the possibility that older, overlooked, ideas might be now feasible with today's huge advances in space and other technologies and materials that were simply not available at the time when many SF works were being written in the 1920-50s. Following the enormous public interest in the study, it was logical to capitalize on the work in a variety of ways, including the publication of a couple of books (one aimed at children) of some of the fascinating old SF book and magazine covers juxtaposed with photographs of today’s reality; arranging a week-long SF film show in a shopping mall in Vienna where experts talked about the current state of development of some of the technologies depicted in the films; and arranging a space art and literature conference, also in Vienna. The study also stimulated the idea of a science fiction essay competition. In November 2002, ESA’s Technology Transfer and Promotion Office launched the ClarkeBradbury International Science Fiction Competition as a way to involve young people in thinking about space and become more interested in science and technology in general 54th International Astronautical Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, the International Academy of Astronautics, and the International Institute of Space Law 29 September 3 October 2003, Bremen, Germany IAC-03-IAA.8.2.04 Copyright © 2003 by the author(s). Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission. Released to IAF/IAA/AIAA to publish in all forms. 2 and in space activities in particular – especially at a time when not so many students are studying such topics at the moment and there is a danger that Europe may fall behind in scientific disciplines and have a dearth of competent aerospace engineers in the future. The competition, which was endorsed by two of the most well-known and best-selling SF authors Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Bradbury, was aimed at young people who were asked to write a short story which utilized technology in some way. This paper discusses the ideas behind the competition and its subsequent organization and gives examples of some of the concepts and technologies told in the tales