Middle School Students Write Code for Space Station
“I wrote code for the International Space Station.”
Imagine being able to add that to your résumé, even before you graduate middle school.
During the Zero Robotics middle school finals on Aug. 14, more than 650 students in 11 states watched software they developed compete in the world’s first robotics competition aboard space station.
Zero Robotics gives middle school students an opportunity to learn the basics of computer programming, robotics and space engineering during a five-week summer program. Students then tested their skills in a competition against their peers by manipulating the Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) aboard station. SPHERES consist of three free-flying vehicles about the size and mass of a bowling ball. Each satellite uses 12 carbon dioxide thrusters to translate and rotate in any direction.
Katharine Leysath, Texas Zero Robotics program manager, noted that this program often gives students the push they need to try something new. “These students really need experience and to be able to realize ‘Hey, I can do this,’” Leysath said.
Students used a graphical interface to code autonomous programs designed to accomplish tasks relevant to future space missions. This summer’s teams simulated collecting and uploading as many pictures as possible of points of interest on an asteroid while avoiding effects of solar flares. Participants also learned to work around real-world resource constraints such as battery life, carbon dioxide levels, loss of signal with the space station and limited time to run simulations due to the orbiting research lab’s busy schedule.
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