Joshua Buck
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
jbuck@nasa.gov
Eric T. Mazzacone
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Washington
darpapublicaffairsoffice@darpa.mil
RELEASE: 11-189
NASA AND DARPA OFFER STUDENTS CHANCE TO SUPPORT FUTURE MISSIONS
WASHINGTON -- NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
(DARPA) are offering high school students the opportunity to design
experiments that will be tested in space.
The 2011 Zero Robotics challenge is a continuation and expansion of a
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education program
using bowling ball-sized spherical satellites aboard the
International Space Station.
The Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental
Satellites, or SPHERES, are used inside the station to test maneuvers
for spacecraft performing autonomous rendezvous and docking. The
three satellites that make up SPHERES fly in formation inside the
station's cabin. Each is self-contained with power, propulsion,
computing and navigation equipment. Test results support satellite
servicing, vehicle assembly and spacecraft that fly in formation.
The challenge requires high school student teams to write their own
algorithm to fly the satellites in the station. Teams must register
before Sept. 5 at:
Entries will be evaluated using simulations. Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Mass., will host a final ground
testing competition in October. The top 27 teams will have their code
sent to the station, where an astronaut will program the SPHERES
satellites to run their tests.
The Zero Robotics challenge, facilitated by MIT, continues the STEM
focus of the SPHERES program. The 2011 challenge expands on a pilot
program performed in 2009 and 2010. By making the benefits and
resources of the space program tangible to high school students, Zero
Robotics is designed to inspire future scientists and engineers.
Students will have the opportunity to push their limits and develop
skills in STEM. This program builds critical engineering skills for
students such as problem solving, design thought process, operations
training, team work and presentation skills.
MIT's Space Systems Laboratory developed SPHERES in 2006 to provide
DARPA, NASA and other researchers with a long-term test bed for
validating technologies critical to the operation of future
satellites, docking missions and satellite autonomous maneuvers. The
satellites provide opportunities to test a wide range of hardware and
software at an affordable cost.
For additional information about NASA and MIT's Zero Robotics program,
visit:
http://go.nasa.gov/zero-robotics
For additional information about DARPA, visit:
-end-
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