Zero Robotics Autonomous Space Capture Challenge

About the Challenge

The Zero Robotics Autonomous Space Capture Challenge, sponsored by DARPA and NASA, and run by the MIT Space Systems Laboratory, TopCoder, and Aurora Flight Sciences, is a programming tournament that opens the SPHERES satellite research platform to the general public for the first time. The goal of the tournament will be to develop an algorithm related to the recently announced DARPA Phoenix demonstration. The objective of this specific challenge is to write a computer program to control a satellite (called a “Tender”) to enable it to dock with a space object (or POD) that may be tumbling through space. The best algorithm submissions from simulation competitions will be tested in zero gravity on real SPHERES satellites aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

To get started, read the offical rules, create a ZR account, and make sure to register for the competition on the tournaments page. Until the start of the competition, familiarize yourself with programming SPHERES using the existing challenges on the website. 

The Contest begins at 13:00:00 U.S. EDT on March 28, 2012. and ends at 20:00:00 U.S. EDT on April 25, 2012 ("Contest Period").  Registration for the Contest will be ongoing during the contest period and ends at 20:00:00 U.S. Eastern Daylight Time (“EDT”) on April 20, 2012.  During the contest you or your teammates will need to submit software solutions to the competition problem.  You also will need to complete a short written description of your approach A Winner will be selected from each of the milestones and from the final submissions and will be announced within two days of the deadline. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED DURING THE CONTEST PERIOD. Entries submitted before or after Contest Period will not be considered or judged.  Participation constitutes Contestant's full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.

To be eligible for testing on the ISS, the finalists from the three milestone submissions must submit an entry in the fourth round, and the final submission will be used for the demonstration event.