ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano is the ambassador for the Volare robotics challenge, ESA’s first robotic competition on a mock-up of the International Space Station. In this video Luca explains robotics operations in space.
The competition combines do-it-yourself and gaming skills in a robotic race to unload, carry and store cargo.
Youngsters from ESA Member States, competing in three age groups between 11 and 19 years old, have a wide degree of freedom when making their robots. There are no restrictions and no recommendations – teams can build them from kits available in shops or recycle old parts to make better models, as long as they adhere to safety requirements.