“No DNA, Just RSA”: SA Learners Reach Finals of Prestigious NASA Space Settlement Competition

• Seven South African high school students made history at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida
• Team ZA became the first African team ever to reach the finals of the International Space Settlement Design Competition
• One team member also walked away with a prestigious individual prize awarded to only four students across the entire competition

Seven South African high school students have etched their names into the history books. Competing at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, Team ZA became the first African team to reach the finals of the International Space Settlement Design Competition, going up against teams from the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, China, and the United States.

The announcement was shared on Facebook by I Love Africa on 9 August 2026, South Africa's National Women's Day, adding extra weight to an already landmark moment for the country.

Team ZA's winning space design

The students designed a crewed spacecraft called "Hermes," built to carry 3,000 residents across the inner Solar System. The vessel incorporated rotating artificial gravity to simulate Earth-like conditions, nuclear thermal and ion propulsion systems, and a magnetic shield to protect inhabitants from solar radiation.

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Team member Joseph Allderman earned additional recognition during the competition, receiving the Anita Gale Creative Genius Prize. Only four of these prizes were handed out across the entire competition.

See the original post that set social media alight in the Facebook post below:

Mzansi reacts to the historic win

South Africans flooded the comments with pride, and a few had strong words for anyone who doubted the country's STEM capabilities:

User @Nelisiwe Ngubo wrote:

"No DNA, just RSA 🇿🇦🌍✌🏿."

User @Zithulele Tinta shared:

"Congratulations to SA students for flying the SA flag high 🇿🇦."

User @Grant Cyster noted:

"And we all gon act like there aren't coloureds there too? As usual! Furthermore, a win is a win, and I'm proud of all these kids for representing us ✊🏽🔥."

User @Hive Metals & Minerals added:

"Africa is blessed 💜."

User @Stanton R L Goodenough said:

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"Makes one even more proud to be a South African!"

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Source: Briefly News