Zero RoboticsWhat is Zero Robotics?
A robotics programming competition where students code real satellites aboard the International Space Station — and watch them compete live in microgravity.
View TournamentsHow It Works
Teams program SPHERES satellites to solve an annual challenge. After virtual competition rounds on this website, finalists are selected to compete in a live championship aboard the ISS — conducted by an astronaut in microgravity with a live broadcast.
Program
Write code to control satellite speed, rotation, and direction. Navigate obstacles, collect virtual objects, and manage resources like fuel and power.
Compete
Test your strategies in a simulation environment that mimics real satellites. Advance through virtual rounds to earn a spot in the finals.
Launch
Finalists' code runs on actual SPHERES satellites inside the ISS. Your autonomous program competes in real microgravity — no human control allowed.
Tournaments
Two tournament formats designed for different age groups. Both are completely free to enter.
High School Tournament
An international event running September through December each year, open to all teams from the US and member states of the European Space Agency.
Middle School Summer Program
A 5-week program where younger students learn to program through a graphical interface, held at selected locations across the US.
Get Started
All tournaments are free of charge. Here's everything you need to begin.
Build a Team
Gather 5-20 students and a mentor
Create an Account
Sign up on this website
Tournament Objectives
Each year's game is motivated by a current problem of interest to DARPA, NASA, and MIT. Students program satellites to complete game objectives — navigating obstacles, picking up virtual objects, and more — while conserving resources and staying within time and code-size limits. Programs are fully autonomous: once the match begins, no human intervention is possible.
