KIBO Robot Programming Challenge 2025 - Space Faculty Singapore

Mission: Work with Astrobee to find the treasure left on the ISS by Space Pirates!

The space pirate IB-1 (Int-Ball the First) has hidden the space treasures he collected during his short life somewhere on the International Space Station “Kibo”.

The astronaut knows clues to find the real treasure hidden by IB-1, but the exact location is unknown. However, previous research has identified several possible sites where the treasure may be hidden, and landmarks have been found nearby. Now, you will take control of the Astrobee and together we will search for IB-1ʼs hidden treasure.

First, to find the treasure, the participants must command the Astrobee around the potential sites by following the landmarks. Be careful that fake treasures may be scattered among them.

After visiting all the candidate sites, use the clues that the astronaut has to find the real treasure, return to the correct location and get the treasure!

The path you take to the treasure is up to you. Grab the treasure hidden by the Space Pirate IB-1 before your rivals find it!

Previous KIBO-RPC Missions

What is KIBO Robot Programming Challenge (RPC)?

The KIBO RPC was created by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 2020 in partnership with member countries of the KIBO Asian Beneficial Collaboration initiative. Students are challenged to solve complex problems onboard the International Space Station (ISS) by programming free-flying robots (Astrobee) to complete various assigned tasks.

Mission Outcomes

1. Acquire programming skills required to become a free-flying robot expert capable of controlling and orientating robots in the unique setting of space.

2. Gain practical experience in applying programming skills to address real-world challenges relevant to Crew Support Practice, fostering a deeper understanding of astronaut assistance in space.

3. Learn how to create efficient real-world simulation programs and gain industry knowledge through networking opportunities.

4.Gain the exclusive opportunity to represent Singapore and run your program on Astrobee in real-time on the ISS.

Download Mission Guidebook

Activities

1. Guidance sessions conducted by JAXA and Space Faculty that will prep you with the necessary skills for the competition (Limited slots!)

2. Post-competition workshop for participants to share about their experience and learn from other participating teams

3. Networking opportunities with other participants and professionals from the Asia-Pacific region

Team Requirements

1. A team must comprise of 3 – 6 members and must appoint a team leader.

2. Students in the team must be based in Singapore or be Singaporeans based abroad (15 years old and above, to graduate level).

3. Each member is only allowed to register with one team (no individual registration).

4. All team members must have valid a email address.

Can’t join KIBO-RPC but eager to be part of other exciting space experiment activities? Explore more opportunities below:

KIBO-ABC

Game Flow for KIBO-RPC 2025

1. Start from the docking station.

2. After starting, Astrobee will patrol several candidate sites aboard Kibo where treasures are hidden.

3. Each team may choose a route through the Oasis Zones*1, where they receive points for passing through, and report what they find at each candidate location for hidden treasures.

4. Once all Astrobee has visited all of the sites, go to the astronaut and read the image of the real treasure and its nearby landmark. This will reveal the identity of the real treasure.

5. Go to the real treasure and take a picture.

6. After taking the photo, activate the Signal Lights to inform the astronaut of the treasure’s location, and the mission is complete.