Competition
Zero Robotics
MIT (Space Systems Laboratory / Media Lab), in partnership with NASA and the ISS National Laboratory
Recognition
Finalist teams' code is uploaded and run by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (High School Championship); specific prize items/scholarships VERIFY.
Deadline
~May 22, 2026
Estimated; confirm on sponsor site
Zero Robotics is a free MIT-run programming and robotics competition in which student teams write code to control satellites aboard the International Space Station, competing through online qualifying rounds toward a live championship.
Eligibility
- Grade levels
- Middle school, High school
- Citizenship
- U.S. or ESA member state
- Fields of study
- Computer science, Engineering, Technology, Science
Application requirements
- Gather a team of 5-20 students and a mentor
- Register the team on zerorobotics.mit.edu before the registration deadline: Most recently confirmed deadline (2026 Middle School Program) was extended to May 22, 2026; next-cycle dates not yet posted as of this check.
- Complete online coding tutorials and qualifying competition rounds
- Advance through virtual rounds to the live final competition: Top teams' code may be executed aboard the ISS during the championship event.
Verified Jul 8, 2026 · View official source