1ST EDITION
The first @Space Challenge, advancing autonomous robotics toward practical use in space.
01 / OVERVIEW
@Space Challenge is a competition designed to advance AI × Space × Robotics technologies for future space activities in orbit, on the Moon, and on other planetary bodies.
@Space Challenge was established as a new category of RoboCup JapanOpen, a competition for autonomous robots. The first edition is based on a scenario using Int-Ball2, an ISS internal robot developed by JAXA.
Using the Int-Ball2 Gazebo simulator, teams compete on tasks such as autonomous navigation, manipulation, and cooperative operations, broadening participation in space robotics development through both education and research. From the second edition onward, the competition aims to expand toward the use of the actual Int-Ball2 aboard the ISS and establish a benchmark for autonomous space robots.
A Discord server is available for sharing competition information, technical exchange, and collaborative development. Anyone may join, regardless of whether they participate in the competition.
Join Discord02 / COMPETITION
The first edition includes the main competition, a technical exchange session, the Open Category (competition proposals and demonstrations), and an Exhibition.
Navigate autonomously from the docking station to the target while avoiding astronauts.
Detect the target object and capture images from multiple viewpoints while keeping the object centered in the frame.
Return while avoiding astronauts and dock autonomously with the docking station.
Int-Ball2 Gazebo Simulator Tutorial
Teams share their technical approaches and research through posters and presentations, promoting information exchange and discussion among participants.
Interested teams give free-form presentations or demonstrations to showcase research outcomes and technologies under development.
Each team presents original ideas or research outcomes in a 10-minute presentation followed by a 5-minute Q&A session. RoboCup representatives evaluate the presentations, and outstanding entries are recognized.
03 / REGISTRATION
Participation in @Space Challenge requires two steps: preliminary registration and official JapanOpen registration.
Submit the registration form to obtain a team number.
Deadline: March 15, 2026
Preliminary Registration FormUse the assigned team number to register through the official JapanOpen website.
Deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026
Registration PageIf you were unable to complete preliminary registration by the deadline, please contact the organizers.
04 / SCHEDULE
The event was held at Shiga Daihatsu Arena from April 24 to 27, 2026.
05 / RESULT
@Space Challenge Executive Committee
“Competitive Bridging of Autonomous Space Robot Research toward the Transfer of Ground-Based Living-Support Robot Technologies to Space
— Establishing the @Space Challenge Competition Platform to Promote Space Applications of Ground-Based AI Technologies —”
Detailed results, including scores and additional rankings, are available on the community Discord server.
06 / ORGANIZATION
Executive Committee Chair
Hiroyuki Okada (Tokyo Information Design Professional University)
Executive Committee Members (in no particular order)
Operations Committee Chair
Yoshinobu Hagiwara (Soka University)
Operations Committee Members (in no particular order)
Technical Committee Chair
Yuki Ikeda (JAXA)
Technical Committee Members (in no particular order)
07 / REFERENCES