The Asian Try Zero-G competition has been created by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to promote crewed space experiment activities aboard Kibo. It is open to youth and young scientists and engineers who have citizenship of any countries which have Kibo – ABC Member Agency.

Students are asked to design and submit proposals for simple microgravity experiments that can be easily performed onboard the ISS.

Submitted proposals will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of space professionals. Once chosen, the students will be guided in preparing their activity for launch.

The experiments will be performed by JAXA astronauts in the Kibo module on the International Space Station. The demonstration of the space activities will be broadcast live and transmitted to JAXA’s ground station at Tsukuba Space Center, Japan.

Objectives

  • Encourage youth to develop an interest in space and space exploration
  • Highlight the value of the microgravity environment
  • Promote the understanding and utilisation of Japanese Experiment Module “KIBO” on the International Space Station
  • Inspire youth to design and implement unique space experiments and research themes

IMPORTANT NOTICE

We expect unique, novel and/or informative ideas that have never been done on the International Space Station/Kibo.

Please be aware that ideas realised in the past experiments will be excluded. See the following movies: https://iss.jaxa.jp/en/kuoa/tryzerog/reference.html

Categories

Category 1 - under 18 years old

  • The experiment will be conducted in Kibo.
  • It is necessary that the experiment must be visually apparent.
  • Experiment needs to be done with no tools or with items scheduled to be available onboard ISS.
  • Available items are:
  • – Office supplies (paper, pen, scissors, ruler, binder clip, Ziploc bag, etc)
  • – Tools (driver, wrench, tweezers, inspection mirror, etc)
  • – Designated items (see Available Onboard Items (TBC))
  • The time required to complete the experiment should be less than 10 minutes and the instructions should be easy and clear to understand and follow.
  • The experiment shall be achieved up to two crew members, however, one crew member is recommended.
  • The activity will be recorded with a high-definition video camera. The high-definition image data will be downlinked to the ground and sent to each space agency afterwards.
  • Please do not submit proposals that financially profit a specific organisation or agency.
  • Group applications are acceptable. Adult/teacher can be involved as a supervisor or guardian of the group, not as an applicant.
  • Depending on the mission schedule and operational situation of ISS, another astronaut may take his/her place.

Category 2 - Young scientists and Engineers, ages up to 27 years old

  • The experiment will be conducted in Kibo.
  • It is necessary that the experiment must be visually apparent.
  • Experiment needs to be done with no tools or with items scheduled to be available onboard ISS.
  • Available items are:
  • – Office supplies (paper, pen, scissors, ruler, binder clip, Ziploc bag, etc)
  • – Tools (driver, wrench, tweezers, inspection mirror, etc)
  • – Designated items (see Available Onboard Items (TBC))
  • The time required to complete the experiment should be less than 10 minutes and the instructions should be easy and clear to understand and follow.
  • The experiment shall be achieved up to two crew members, however, one crew member is recommended.
  • The activity will be recorded with a high-definition video camera. The high-definition image data will be downlinked to the ground and sent to each space agency afterwards.
  • Please do not submit proposals that financially profit a specific organisation or agency.
  • Group applications are acceptable. Adult/teacher can be involved as a supervisor or guardian of the group, not as an applicant.
  • Depending on the mission schedule and operational situation of ISS, another astronaut may take his/her place.
  • Describe mathematical and theoretical assumption regarding your idea in the Application Form.
  • Intention to writing a paper about the experiment is highly recommended.

Call for Proposal

Points for Consideration

The following points are considered as unsafe in ISS/Kibo:

  • Usage of dangerous material/objects
  • Sprinkling a large amount of water (1 litre or more) into Kibo cabin
  • Releasing a certain amount of gaseous, especially the one ISS does not have capability of elimination. e.g. N2
  • Scattering tiny articles such as bolts and nuts, pieces of paper
  • Usage of high-speed spinning objects with large mass
  • Items which have sharp edges

The following points are considered as impractical in ISS/Kibo:

  • Long duration of crew time
  • Sacrificing crew’s rights, privacies
  • Requirement to terminate air flow in cabin for a long time
  • Blocks crew’s emergency evacuation path. e.g. closing hatches

Proposal to Launch Items

Applicant shall prefer to use onboard items shown as Attachment-1 (TBC), though applicant can propose launch items which fulfil the following conditions:

  • Dimensions: within 35 x 30 x 8 centimetres, when folded
  • Weight: less than 950 g
  • Specifications: non-flammable, no sharp edges, not included any motive power (electric, magnetic), no living thing, no chemicals
  • The proposed items may not be used for the experiments with various reasons.

Launch items are not returned to applicants.

Application Format

Once an Expression of Interest has been sent, a Word Document will need to be completed in the following format:

  • Applicant Information
  • Activity Title
  • Hypothesis and Theory
  • – Hypothesis
  • – Schematic Model
  • – Mathematical Assumption (For Category 2 only)
  • Verification method and Requirement
  • Tool, Item (include required launch items)

Expression of Interest

Have a Zero-G experiment to send to space? Apply below:

Name(Required)

Past experiments