The requirement of the global competition is to design a two-person Mars flyby mission for 2018 as cheaply, safely and simply as possible. All other design variables are open.
Each team competing was required to submit a 50-page design report, which provided the basis for a down-select first to 21 semifinalists and then to 10 finalists. The finalist teams will be invited to present and defend their designs before a panel of six judges chosen (two each) by the Mars Society, Inspiration Mars and NASA. The presentations will take place during a public event at NASA Ames Research Center in April 2014.
Source: The Mars Society
Photo © Mars Society Polska