This guide will help you get started with the CCSDS Competition Platform, from creating an account to joining or creating a team.

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Creating an Account

1. Visit the Platform
   • Go to the competition platform homepage
   • Click "Register" in the navigation bar or on the login page
2. Fill in Your Details
   • Username: Choose a unique username
   • Email: Enter your email address
   • Password: Create a strong password that includes:
     • At least 8 characters
     • One uppercase letter
     • One lowercase letter
     • One number
   • Confirm Password: Re-enter your password
3. Submit Registration
   • Click "Register"
   • You'll be redirected to the login page with a success message
   • Once registered, you can join teams and collaborate on projects

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Logging In

1. Access the Login Page
   • Click "Login" in the navigation bar
   • Or visit /auth/login
2. Enter Your Credentials
   • Username: Your registered username
   • Password: Your password
3. Submit
   • Click "Login"
   • You'll be redirected to your dashboard

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Managing Your Profile

Update Your Skills

1. Go to Your Profile
   • Click your username in the navigation bar
   • Select "Profile"
2. Add Your Skills
   • Enter your technical skills separated by commas
   • Example: "Python, JavaScript, React, Docker, AWS, Machine Learning"
   • This helps team leads find you when looking for specific expertise
3. Save Changes
   • Click "Update Skills"

Search for Team Members

If you're a team captain looking for members:

1. Navigate to Find Team Members
   • From the navigation menu, go to "Users" → "Find Team Members"
2. Search by Skills
   • Enter a skill or technology (e.g., "Python", "React")
   • View users with matching skills
3. Invite to Your Team
   • Click "Invite to Team" next to any user
   • Select which team to invite them to

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Forgot Password

If you forget your password, you can easily reset it:

1. Click "Forgot Password?"
   • On the login page, click the "Forgot Password?" link
2. Enter Your Email
   • Provide the email address associated with your account
   • Click "Send Reset Link"
3. Check Your Email
   • You'll receive an email with a password reset link
   • The link is valid for 1 hour
4. Reset Your Password
   • Click the link in the email
   • Enter your new password (twice)
   • Click "Reset Password"
5. Login with New Password
   • Return to the login page
   • Use your new password to log in

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Creating Your Own Team

Create a New Team

1. Navigate to Teams
   • Click "Teams" in the navigation menu
2. Click "Create Team"
   • This button appears if you have Project Lead or Admin role
3. Fill in Team Details
   • Team Name (required): Choose a unique, descriptive name
   • Description (optional): Describe your team's goals and approach
   • Organisation (optional): Your organization or institution
   • Address (optional): Physical location if relevant
4. Submit
   • Click "Create Team"
   • You'll be automatically added as the team captain and first member

After Creating Your Team

1. Select Specifications
   • Choose which CCSDS protocols your team will implement
   • Options: LunaNet Signal-In-Space (LSIS-AFS) or Space Communications Session Control (CCSDS 235.1)
2. Invite Team Members
   • From your team's detail page, click "Invite Member"
   • Enter the user's email address
   • They'll receive an invitation email
3. Manage Join Requests
   • Review requests from users who want to join
   • Approve or reject requests from the team detail page

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Finding and Joining a Team

Browse Available Teams

1. Navigate to Teams
   • From your dashboard, click "Teams" in the navigation menu
   • Or visit /teams
2. View Team List
   • You'll see all available teams with:
     • Team name
     • Description
     • Number of members
     • Project lead
3. View Team Details
   • Click "View Details" on any team
   • See full team information including members and specifications

Request to Join a Team

1. From Team Details Page
   • Click "Request to Join" button
   • Your request will be sent to the team captain
2. Wait for Approval
   • The team captain or admin will review your request
   • You'll see a "Request Pending" status on the team page
3. Join the Team
   • When your request is approved, you'll automatically join the team

Join via Invitation

If a team captain invites you:

1. Check Your Email
   • You'll receive an invitation email with a link
2. Click the Invitation Link
   • If logged in: Click "Accept Invitation & Join Team"
   • If not logged in: You can create an account or login first
3. Join the Team
   • Upon accepting, you'll join the team and can start collaborating

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Tips for Success

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Getting Help

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Competition Timeline

Last Updated: January 2026