When iPods are used in competitions, it's usually as a prize. However, the European Space Agency is doing things the other way around, and launching a competition for the creation of a 10-song iPod playlist to be used by International Space Station astronauts.

The ESA is asking which songs people play when they wish to feel happy and which songs are played if a person is feeling lonely or sad. The winner's playlist will be downloaded onto an iPod and sent to the ISS in ESA's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which will be making its maiden flight later this year. The 20 ton craft, named 'Jules Verne', after the famous French science fiction writer, will be delivering about seven tons of cargo to the astronauts living in the International Space Station.

Competition rules:
￭ The competition is only open to young people under 18 years of age.
￭ Entries are only accepted from nationals of the following countries which are participating in the ATV program: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
￭ The deadline for entries is 10 May 2007.
￭ The winners will be announced in June 2007.
￭ Relatives of ESA staff members are not allowed to take part in this competition.
￭ The decision of the judges is final.

The Grand Prize for the overall winner will be a trip to see the ATV launch in Kourou, French Guiana (South America) as well as having their playlist sent to space on board the ATV. One prize for the best entry from each country. Each national winner will win a day trip to the European Astronaut Centre in Germany.