Abstract#

The Inspired 24 requests $2,125 USDC from MoonDAO to launch a dedicated MoonDAO Spaceflight Training Scholarship Program. This initiative directly funds 2 full tuition scholarship seats ($1,000 value each) for MoonDAO citizens in Cohort 7, selected through an open community application process. In addition, funding covers digital learning platform delivery and operations. By shifting from individual tuition barriers to community-sponsored access, this partnership directly expands public spaceflight preparation infrastructure while delivering immediate, tangible value to MoonDAO members.

Problem#

High-fidelity, practical spaceflight preparation, such as pressure suit operations and water landing survival training, carries significant facility, equipment, software, and operational expenses that create high cost barriers for civilian candidates taking these courses. Without targeted sponsorship, talented members of underrepresented and grassroots space communities like MoonDAO face financial obstacles to accessing hands-on astronautics training.

Solution#

The Inspired 24 seeks to partner with MoonDAO to sponsor two (2) full-tuition scholarship seats for MoonDAO citizens in Spaceflight Training Cohort 7. Combining direct grant support with our unique course offering creates a clear, low-barrier pathway for MoonDAO members to receive authentic training pressure suit operation and water egress training. We also seek to deploy and improve our eLearning modules and expand future experiential learning opportunities for the community.

Benefits#

• Direct Citizen Sponsorship: 2 fully funded training seats ($1,000 value each) reserved exclusively for MoonDAO citizens in Cohort 7, awarded through an open application process.

• Perpetual Member Discount: MoonDAO citizens will continue to receive the Inspired 24 Member discount of $500 off the list price (current list $1500, current member price $1000). The Inspired 24 is committed to offering this same $500 discount permanently to MoonDAO citizens, regardless of future increases in the list price for the course.

• Executive & Community Cohort Integration: One complimentary guest training seat reserved for the MoonDAO executive board/designee to showcase this joint venture, with plans to align scheduling alongside scholarship trainees while opening remaining cohort slots to the broader The Inspired 24 and MoonDAO communities.

Risks#

• Application Timeline Delays: Delays in community application submissions could push back candidate selection and course delivery for Cohort 7. Mitigation: Establish a clear application window with MoonDAO Senate / Community team alignment.

• Software Migration Hiccups: Platform transitions could temporarily disrupt study material access. Mitigation: Firm delivery of the digital learning platform remains a core OKR with beta testing built into the timeline.

• Scheduling Conflicts: Coordinating guest trainees and citizen candidates into a synchronized cohort schedule. Mitigation: Scheduling is treated as an Inspired 24 commitment to MoonDAO pending mutual availability, decoupled from firm platform launch OKRs.

Objectives#

Objective #1: Launch and execute the MoonDAO Spaceflight Training Scholarship Program.#

• Key Result 1.1: Open public applications and select 2 MoonDAO citizens for full Cohort 7 scholarships by Q1 2027.
• Key Result 1.2: Successfully graduate both MoonDAO scholarship recipients through Spaceflight Training Cohort 7 by Q2 2027.
• Member(s) Responsible: Bob "Scout" Barnum (@EngiBob), Andrew "Titan" Parris (@i24titan) and Rosana "Zen" Sotile

Objective #2: Finalize digital platform transition to enhance candidate preparation prior to Cohort 7.#

• Key Result 2.1: Complete migration and beta testing of all core study materials to the new eLearning platform by Q4 2026.
• Key Result 2.3: Launch full user-interface refinements and deliver platform access to Cohort 6 candidates ahead of practical training in Q1 2027.
• Member(s) Responsible: Bob "Scout" Barnum (@EngiBob) and Rosana "Zen" Sotile

Team (Table A)#

Team Bios

Project Lead:

Bob is a chemical engineer with over 15 years experience designing, developing and delivering chemical processing systems and equipment. His current professional focus is the development and scale up of a novel processing system for the conversion of waste plastic to performance materials and energy, with applications for terrestrial and space mission use. Bob has been a MoonDAO voting member and Citizen since 2024, and served on the MoonDAO senate from Q1-Q4 2025.

https://rdbarnum.github.io/

https://www.moondao.com/citizen/engibob-23

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbarnum/

https://x.com/EngiBob

https://www.instagram.com/engi_bob

Team Member #1:

Andrew is a 3 time Technical Emmy Award winner with +43 years of Broadcast Television Engineering experience. He spent 13 years working for NASA providing PAO-TV, Space Shuttle and ISS mission support. While at NASA he helped train NASA Astronauts in the WETF & NBL and also flew on NASA's Reduced Gravity Program's Zero-G, or Vomit Comet flights. Andrew has been a MoonDAO citizen for +4 years and has served as a Senator multiple times and supported multiple proposals. Andrew was part of the MoonDAO Ground Support & Media Team for Dr. Eiman Jahangir's spaceflight on Blue Origin's New Shepard 26 in 2024.

Team Member #2:

Timeline (Table B)#

Deadline for the project: End of Q1 2027

Budget (Table C)#