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Zero Robotics is an international high school programming competition where students control robotic SPHERES (Synchronised Position Hold Engage and Reorient Experimental Satellites) aboard the International Space Station.[1] Each year teams of students work to produce code capable of performing in a game that can be deployed on the SPHERES. This game generally contains elements such as docking with objects, moving objects, and destroying targets within a bounded area while monitoring fuel usage.
Initial stages of the competition occur online (with virtual SPHERES) with free team registration in the United States, Australia[2] and for ESA member countries and limited registration for international teams. Teams are traditionally monitored by adult mentors and code submitted through the MIT website.[1] Finalists compete in a live championship aboard the ISS. An astronaut conducts the final competition while communicating to teams through a live feed.[3]