Topic Summary

The year is 2031, and the International Space Station has become the center of humanity’s most ambitious lunar satellite mission to date. What was supposed to be a historic operation involving deep space imaging, satellite deployment, and lunar research quickly turns into an international emergency when a critical satellite suddenly malfunctions near the Moon.

Delegates will serve as astronauts aboard the ISS, NASA flight directors, engineers, scientists, government officials, and international partners scrambling to contain a crisis unfolding hundreds of thousands of miles from Earth. Communication systems begin failing, navigation data becomes corrupted, and fears grow that the damaged satellite could collide with nearby infrastructure or disappear into space entirely. Meanwhile, political tensions rise as governments demand answers and the world watches the disaster unfold in real time.

As the situation deteriorates, delegates must respond to emergency spacewalks, system failures aboard the ISS, astronaut injuries, media scrutiny, and the possibility that the mission itself may collapse. In a desperate attempt to save both the station and the satellite, astronauts may be forced to undertake dangerous repairs outside the safety of the ISS while Mission Control races against time below.

With limited oxygen, unstable technology, and billions of dollars at stake, one mistake could change the future of space exploration forever. Houston has a problem, and it is up to this committee to solve it.

Director’s Letter

Dear Delegates,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Harvard National Model United Nations 2027! I am incredibly honored to serve as one of your Directors for a committee that is out of this world—Houston, We Have a Problem, and I look forward to the engaging debate, collaboration, and creativity that will define our time together in committee.

My name is Jordanos Sisay, and I am a junior in Winthrop House studying Government and Sociology. I am originally from Los Angeles, California, and I plan to pursue a career in law and consulting with a focus on advocacy and public policy. Model United Nations has become one of the most rewarding parts of my college experience, and I am thrilled to contribute to

HNMUN as both a member of staff and a mentor for delegates throughout this process. Last year I was an Assistant Director for the SPEC Committee Rappers Gone Rogue, which was a super fun and valuable experience.

Outside of HNMUN, I am involved in a variety of organizations across campus that reflect my passion for leadership, service, and community building. I currently serve as an analyst and Diversity Advisory Council Board member for the Harvard Undergraduate Consulting Group, Co-Director of Partnerships for the Black Pre-Law Association, and Outreach and Inclusivity Co-Chair for the Black Student Association.

Beyond academics and extracurriculars, I love listening to Beyoncé and Charli XCX, spending time with friends, watching films, and trying new foods around Cambridge and beyond. I believe that some of the most memorable parts of Model UN happen outside of formal debate through the conversations, friendships, and connections formed along the way.

Through these experiences, I have developed a strong appreciation for collaboration, thoughtful dialogue, and creating inclusive spaces, all of which I hope to bring into our committee sessions as well.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. I cannot wait to meet each of you, and I look forward to an exciting and rewarding committee experience together.

Sincerely,

Jordanos Sisay

Director, International Space Station

ecosoc@hnmun.org