There is one thing that all explorers agree upon - whether they are on Earth, the sea, or in space: good shelter is an important thing to have.

NASA is looking to develop habitation modules for use on the Moon and Mars that are light - yet strong - and easy to set up. Other research agencies on Earth, such as the NSF, also have need of similarly portable habitats for research conducted in remote locations - such as Antarctica.

In an effort to look at new ways to meet the research requirements of explorers on Earth and in space NASA, The National Science Foundation, and ILC Dover currently operate an inflatable habitat in Antarctica. The structure was erected in January 2008 at McMurdo Station and is undergoing a testing program until January 2009. In January 2009 the habitat will be taken down and removed to the United States. Future deployments of this structure and others like it are being contemplated in the future.

NASA's Innovative Partnership Program signed a Space Act Agreement with ILC. NASA then invested $250,000 in the project. ILC Dover who designed and built the habitat made an in-kind contribution of $295,000. NASA then turned to NSF via a Memorandum of Understanding to set up the means where by the hab module would be delivered, operated, and returned from Antarctica.

There is one important thing that this unique structure is missing: a name.

The Challenger Center for Space Science Education, under the auspices of a recently signed Space Act agreement with NASA, is sponsoring a challenge to students to provide a name for this habitat in cooperation with NASA, NSF, and ILC Dover.

The mission for students in the "Name the Hab" Challenge is to propose a name for this habitat. As they propose a name, students will need to explain why this name should be used. The name should reflect the potential uses of inflatable habitats on Earth and other worlds. The name can be an acronym for a longer title, or a name that has some functional, historic, or other compelling significance.

This naming challenge is open to entries from classes of students in grades 6-10. The challenge opens on 21 October 2008. All entries must be received by email no later than midnight Eastern Standard Time 20 November 2008

All name submissions will be reviewed by a panel of educators, astronauts, polar explorers, space scientists, life scientists, and engineers. When the team goes to Antarctica in January 2009 to check up on the habitat, the winning name and the submitting school will be announced - from Antarctica.

The prime objectives of the this Challenge are for students to learn and understand:

• living and working in space and in remote locations on a planetary surface
• the types of research conducted in space and in polar locations
• the similarities and differences between missions of terrestrial, oceanic, and space exploration
• how to explain 1, 2, and 3 to fellow students, their parents, teachers, and members of their local community

You can learn more about the hab at these links:

• NASA/ NSF/ILC Dover Antarctica 2008
• NASA Inflatable Habitat Blog
• Living on the Moon: Inflatable Habitat Research
• Using a Planetary Analog To Test a Prototype Inflated Habitat for NASA

You can learn about polar exploration and NASA research in extreme environments at these links

• NSF Office Of Polar Programs
• Exploration at NASA
• Education at NASA
• Haughton-Mars Project on Devon Island
• NASA Spaceward Bound

CHALLENGE RULES

• Participation is restricted to classes of students attending U.S. schools (this includes U.S. possessions and schools operated by the U.S. for the children of American personnel overseas). Entries will not be accepted from Challenger Learning Centers.
• Submissions are to be made by a school teacher or administrator on behalf of an entire class. This must be clearly indicated on the submission. Individual student entires or submissions by members of the general public will not be accepted.
• Only one submission per class will be accepted. Multiple submissions of the same name and/or text from a single class or school can lead to disqualification.
• Teachers or administrators must submit their class' entry by emailing it to hab@challenger.org. Each submission is to be made as plain text contained within individual email message. No attachments, files, enclosures, images, or web URLs will be accepted.
• Submissions will not be accepted by mail, fax, or other delivery methods. Submissions must be sent by email no later than midnight 20 November 2008.
• Entries shall be in English and not exceed 500 words in length. Pictures, drawings, diagrams, or other media will not be considered in the evaluation process.
• All entries MUST contain the following information at the top of the submission. This text does not count against the 500 word limit:
1. School (name, address, website, phone, email)
2. Teacher (name, phone, email)
3. Grade level and number of students (DO NOT INCLUDE STUDENT'S NAMES)
• All entries will be evaluated according to theor adherence to these rules. Judges' decisions are final. Scoring of qualified entries will be conducted as follows:
up to:
1. 25 points: grammar, composition, and clarity of expression
2. 25 points: factual veracity, logic, and knowledge of topic
3. 25 points: the name and how it is supported by the justification provided
4. 25 points: creativity and resonance with exploration
• Participants should make every effort to be sure the name submitted is not already protected under copyright by a commerical entity. If at all possible, participants should try to select a name that has not been used in previous NASA or NSF missions, spacecraft, ships, or robotics. Historic names are acceptable (i.e. more than 50 years ago). A little worried as to where to look for names that have already been used? Good places to check your names are:
1. http://nasascience.nasa.gov/missions
2. http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/
3. http://www.nsf.gov/search/index.jsp
• All entries become the property of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education.
• The top entry will be announced from Antarctica in January 2009. The top 100 entries will be published online.