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CompetitionAll of EuropeFor everyone

Astro Pi: run your code on the International Space Station (age 19 and under), entries until 22 March 2027

A simple Python program for the ISS: up to 4 people, 1 hour, beginner-friendly, age 19 and under. Entries open 14 September 2026 to 22 March 2027.

ESA and the Raspberry Pi Foundation· European Astro Pi Challenge 2026/27 (Mission Zero and Mission Space Lab)

At a glance

Amount

Free to enter. Your code runs on the ISS (Mission Zero: a simple program with an image; Mission Space Lab: a science project by teams of 2–6); certificates are awarded

Deadline
22 Mar 2027

22 March 2027

Covers
ProgrammeMentoring
Duration

One-off

Cycle: 2026-2027

About this grant

Astro Pi is an educational programme from ESA and the Raspberry Pi Foundation for young people aged 19 and under: your code is run on board the ISS. Participation is free, participants get certificates and a mentor from a school or club registers the team. Mission Zero is a simple Python programme with an image for beginners (up to 4 people, about an hour of work); Mission Space Lab is a scientific project by a team of 2–6.

Deadlines for 2026/27: Mission Zero by 22 March 2027; Mission Space Lab team registration from 14 September 2026 to 22 February 2027, 12:00 CET. For Mission Space Lab projects are selected under the mission's terms; details are at astro-pi.org.

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Who can apply

Citizenship
any
Fields of study
Computer science, Natural sciences, Engineering
Other
Age 19 and under; a mentor (school or club) must register the team

How to apply

Where to go and what to do, step by step

Where to apply
Mission Hub (astro-pi.org): the Mission Zero and Mission Space Lab pages
https://astro-pi.org/mission-zero
Go to the application page
Who submits it
You yourself
Account and access
A mentor's account in Mission Hub: the mentor registers the team and gets a class code

Steps

  1. 1

    Make sure you are 19 or younger and have a mentor from a school or club who registers the team.

  2. 2

    Choose a mission. Mission Zero is a simple Python programme that shows an image; Mission Space Lab is a science project by a team of 2–6.

  3. 3

    The mentor registers in Mission Hub and gets a class code.

  4. 4

    For Mission Space Lab, register the team (2–6 people) from 14 September 2026 to 22 February 2027, 12:00 CET.

  5. 5

    For Mission Zero, write a Python program and submit it from 14 September 2026 until 22 March 2027, 12:00 CET.

  6. 6

    Wait for your code to run on the ISS: participants receive certificates.

Apply by:22 Mar 202722 March 2027

What exactly to submit

Documents and materials to attach to the application.

  • A mentor from a school or club with a Mission Hub account and class code
  • A Python programme (Mission Zero) or a science project (Mission Space Lab)
  • For Space Lab: a team of 2–6

Example

Example (written by us): the computing teacher registers in Mission Hub and gets a class code. Ana and her classmates write a Python program that shows a picture and a name on the screen, send it in February and receive a certificate after it runs on the ISS.

An example we wrote to illustrate: it is not an official sample, replace the details with your own.

How applicants are chosen

Mission Zero is a simple task: the programme runs on the ISS; for Mission Space Lab projects are selected under the mission's rules (details on astro-pi.org).

What happens after you apply

Participation is free; your code runs on the ISS and participants receive certificates. 2026/27 deadlines: Mission Zero until 22 March 2027, Mission Space Lab registration until 22 February 2027 (12:00 CET).

Common mistakes

  • Entering without a mentor: only the mentor registers the team
  • Mixing up deadlines: Space Lab registration closes earlier (22 February)
  • Forgetting the age limit: 19 or younger

Official links

Guide checked against the official pages: 9 October 2026. Guide written from official sources. Details may change: check them on the application page.

A letter template and a checklist to review before sending. If a local model is running on your computer, the text reads more naturally.

Verbatim from the source

“Entries for Mission Zero 2026/2027 are open from 14 September 2026 to 22 March 2027 12:00 noon CET.”
Original in englishOfficial source

Reviews

Experience from people who have already applied. These are user opinions and are not verified by the organiser.

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This information is for guidance only. Conditions change every year — check them on the provider's official website before applying.

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