Zero Robotics is an innovative and inspiring program for middle school students (rising 6th-9th grades in the summer) and high school students (9th-12th grades in the fall) that is truly out of this world!

Zero Robotics is a free computer programming challenge designed to cultivate interest in Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by giving middle and high school students unprecedented access to the International Space Station (ISS).

Students learn to control free-flying satellites known as Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) aboard the ISS, through computer programming and simulations. Finalists ultimately go head-to-head against teams from across the country (middle school) or world (high school), while astronauts referee the final competition live from space using the SPHERES. The SPHERES afford the perfect testing ground for this task because they provide a risk-tolerant environment for students to use ISS hardware, all while advancing space research through an annual challenge relevant to future space missions.

Texas Zero Robotics is brought to you by the following partners and sponsors:

At the national and international level, Zero Robotics is brought to you by the following partners and sponsors:

In the Zero Robotics High School Tournament, students write computer programs at their high schools that control a satellite in space. The goal is to build critical engineering skills for students, such as problem solving, design thought process, operations training, and team work. Students simulate their program immediately and see the results in an online animation. Students have ample opportunities to test different strategies before submitting their code for a formal competition. All submissions to challenge other teams and to the competition are via the website. Students also have access to online tutorials and an MIT technical support system.

The tournament takes place throughout the fall semester and ends with the final competition live aboard the ISS in January with teams competing in alliances from around the world. It begins with simulations in phases from 2D to 3D, gradually increasing in difficulty. After elimination rounds, the finalists will see their code run in the SPHERES satellites aboard the International Space Station with live transmission from space. The finals take place simultaneously at MIT, at an European Space Agency (ESA) site in Europe, at the University of Sydney in Australia and are also webcast live to all participants so that remote viewing is possible.

Eligibility

To participate in the high school competition, you must create a team of 5 to 20 students ages 14-20 and find a primary mentor. Any accredited high-school (grades 9-12), Upper Secondary, or equivalent grade-school / pre-college level program, including home-schooling, can register a team of students.

For more information and to register your team, visit zerorobotics.mit.edu.

Texas A&M University’s Department of Aerospace Engineering and the ASTRO Center will provide a minimum of $500 financial assistance and college student mentors to all Texas teams competing in the 2018 Zero Robotics Middle School Summer Program. In addition, Texas A&M will invite all Texas teams that submit code to the regional competition to join us at the Texas ISS Finals Event at either NASA’s Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX) or Texas A&M University (College Station, TX).

To participate in the Texas Zero Robotics Middle School Summer Program, a primary mentor or other organization adult representative must complete the below application. Texas A&M will select up to 15 Texas teams to participate in the 2018 Zero Robotics Middle School Summer Program.

Once completed, please submit your application via email, fax or U.S. postal mail.