CompetitionAstro Pi Challenge (Raspberry Pi Foundation with ESA Education)

Astro Pi Mission Zero 2026/27

A beginner-friendly coding task in which a team writes a short Python program that is run on the Astro Pi computers aboard the International Space Station. It takes about an hour and suits clubs and classes as well as individuals.

By the Born to Engineer editorial team Checked 23 Oct 2026

At a glance

Run by: Astro Pi Challenge (Raspberry Pi Foundation with ESA Education)
Who it’s for: Young people aged 19 and under, in teams of up to four, supervised by a mentor such as a teacher or code club leader. Beginners welcome^[1]
Entry: Students or a school can enter
Worth: Your code runs on the International Space Station, with a certificate showing runtime details and orbital coordinates^[2]
Cost: Free^[3]
Year groups: Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12, Year 13
Where: UK-wide
Format: Online
Dates: 14 September 2026 to 22 March 2027

Sources

4 sources

Astro Pi Challenge
Mission Zero
Participants must be supervised by a mentor such as a teacher, educator, parent or code club leader
Checked 23 October 2026
Raspberry Pi Foundation
Launching Astro Pi 2026/27
Every successful team will receive official certificates complete with runtime details and orbital coordinates.
Checked 23 October 2026
Astro Pi Challenge
Mission Zero
Free beginners space program open to all
Checked 23 October 2026
Astro Pi Challenge
Mission Zero
Entries for Mission Zero 2026/2027 are open from 14 September 2026 to 22 March 2027 12:00 noon CET.
Checked 23 October 2026

Details checked 23 October 2026 by the Born to Engineer editorial team. Always confirm dates on the provider’s site before applying.

Apply by

22 Mar 2027

Entries open 14 September 2026 to 22 March 2027, 12:00 noon CET. Programs run on the ISS in May 2027^[4]

Apply on astro-pi.org (opens in a new tab)

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Visit sentinus.co.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: Sentinus Young Innovators 2026 (Young Engineer of the Year)

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Visit ceb.cam.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: Davidson Inventors Challenge 2026/27

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Closes in 34 days

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Visit qeprize.org (opens in a new tab)Details: QEPrize Create the Trophy 2027