2012: RETROspheres
The 2012 Zero Robotics game was called RETROspheres (Rapid Entry Trajectory by Retrograde ablatiOn (RETRO))
Game Background:
The gradually accumulating cloud of space debris in low-Earth orbit threatens humanity’s ability to launch new space missions. The area around Earth is full of hazards, ranging from tiny flecks of metal to huge school bus-sized dead satellites. The debris poses a danger to astronauts, functioning satellites and space launches. Right now, each piece must be carefully cataloged and avoided. If we wait too long, collisions between the debris may cause the situation to cascade and spiral out of control, a phenomenon known as Kessler Syndrome. It could make space exploration and the use of satellites out of reach of humanity for hundreds of years.
Enter the Rapid Entry Trajectory by Retrograde ablatiOn (RETRO) program. NASA and DARPA have directed MIT to create two companies: BluSpace and RedSpace. These companies will compete in a challenging demonstration mission with a lucrative debris removal contract at stake. Both companies are using specially outfitted RetroSPHERES satellites launched into a polar orbit to deploy micro dust clouds that can deorbit small pieces of space debris with high velocity collisions (ablation).
Game Manual:
The game manual can be found here.
Final results:
Plasma Robotics and their 2 alliance partners, Betaware and Haverhill Robotics, were ranked 13th among all Zero alliances going into the ISS Finals. The alliance did not perform as well as we had expected on the ISS. Congratulations to Alliance Mira Loma (Mira Loma Matadors, y0b0tics! & Green Wrenches) who were declared the US winner of the ISS Finals.
It was discovered after some matches had been played that human error had lead to some spheres not getting fully refueled between matches which affected the performance of some spheres. Afterwards there was a simulated bracket to see how the robots would have performed. Alliance Betaware was declared the winner of this event.
© 2014