The 3rd Kibo Robot Programming Challenge 2022
Calling all student robotics enthusiasts – the International Space Station (ISS) needs your help again in 2022.
On this page
Program free-flying robot Astrobee and you could be watching ISS astronauts run your program in real-time on the ISS!
Applications for the Kibo-RPC 3rd mission (2022) are now open.
Application deadline has now been extended to June 6, 2022.
The mission
In 2021, a recurring air leak was repaired by talented Asian student programmers.
The crisis was successfully resolved...
But wait …
It seems the ISS was hit again in 2022 — this time by several lumps of space debris.
As a result, the air leak repaired in 2021 opened up again and a new air leak was detected.
Student programmers, the ISS needs your help again. Save the ISS!
The challenge
Your team challenge now is to permanently repair the leak using ISS robot Astrobee and report successful completion of the mission to the astronauts!
Are you up for the challenge?
The event described above is not a real event but an exciting simulated challenge for students of all ages who are interested in the amazing world of robotics. It’s a self-learning exercise where you will be sent all the materials you need plus access to a Q and A channel to help guide you through your learning.
It has been created by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to inspire students to develop their educational and professional goals to a higher level.
You will have the opportunity to learn cutting-edge methodologies and hone your skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
You’ll also get to interact with other like-minded students from around the world.
What countries are taking part?
New Zealand is participating along with other countries in the Asian Beneficial Collaboration through Kibo Utilization (Kibo-ABC) membership. Teams can include students from the other member countries:
Australia（ASA/OGL）
Bangladesh（NMST）
Indonesia（LAPAN）
Japan（JAXA）
Malaysia（MYSA）
Nepal（NESARC）
New Zealand（NZSA）
Singapore（SSTL）
Taiwan（NSPO）
Thailand（NSTDA）
United States of America（NASA）
Vietnam（STI)
The challenge takes place over 2 rounds – preliminary, and final.
Application deadline for preliminary round is May 16, 2022.
Key dates
Preliminary round
July 2022
In the preliminary round, New Zealand teams will compete against each other to complete the mission with the best speed and accuracy in the JAXA simulation environment. The winning teams will go through to the final round.
Final round
September 2022
This will be hosted by JAXA at Tsukuba Space Center in Japan with real-time connections with the ISS and broadcast globally online. Each team that reaches the final round will have their program uplinked to Astrobee on the ISS and run in real-time!
How to enter
- Fill out the application form on the Kibo-RPC website(external link)
- Email completed application to: nzspaceagency@mbie.govt.nz
While you are waiting for notification of acceptance, read the guidebook and entry guide to start preparing your program:
3rd Kibo Robot Programming Challenge Guidebook [PDF 1.4MB](external link)
3rd Kibo Robot Programming Challenge Entry description [PDF 701KB](external link)
You’ll be sent an automatic email from JAXA containing a login ID and Password and instructions on how to access JAXA’s simulation environment.
Good luck, programmers – the ISS is counting on you!