Abu Dhabi: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has announced the winners of the UAE Zero Robotics Programming Challenge (UAE ZRPC), a unique programming competition that took place onboard the International Space Station (ISS) with the participation of Emirati astronaut Mr. Sultan AlNeyadi. The UAE ZRPC was developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and NASA.
The first place was awarded to the team from Khalifa University for demonstrating exceptional command over the Astrobee’s control in a microgravity environment, with their impressive coding skills leading them to victory. The second and third places were secured by Team 2 and Team 1, respectively, from the UAE University.
Engaging students in the field of STEM is of paramount importance to the UAE’s vision for a future rich in science and technology. With Sultan’s mission aboard the ISS, we open a new chapter in educational outreach initiatives. This challenge is the kind of inspired learning we aim for at MBRSC – nurturing the innovators and explorers of tomorrow and propelling the UAE to the forefront of global space exploration.
Mr. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC, commented.
Six teams took part in this challenge, totaling 31 students, representing five esteemed universities, with each team guided by a Lead Professor and a Team leader. The participating teams included one team each from American University in Dubai, Higher Colleges of Technology Abu Dhabi, Khalifa University, the University of Sharjah, and two teams from UAE University.
Over the course of several weeks, the students engaged in an intensive training regimen to prepare themselves for the final code submissions. During the initial rounds of the UAE ZRPC, the teams used an online simulation to test their code and closely observe the movement of the Astrobee. These codes were then uploaded to Astrobee, bringing their hard work to life as the robot executed the programmed tasks in space. The challenge promoted creative thinking, technical skill, and a keen understanding of real-world applications for programming in space.
The UAE Astronaut Program is one of the projects managed by MBRSC under the UAE’s National Space Programme and funded by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), which aims to support research and development in the ICT sector in the UAE and promote the country’s integration on the global stage.