# Notice of Centennial Challenges Space Robotics Challenge
**AGENCY:**
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
**NOTICE:**
(16-056).
**ACTION:**
Notice of Centennial Challenges Space Robotics Challenge.
**SUMMARY:**
This notice is issued in accordance with 51 U.S.C. 20144(c). The Space Robotics Challenge is open and teams that wish to compete may now register. Centennial Challenges is a program of prize competitions to stimulate innovation in technologies of interest and value to NASA and the nation. The Space Robotics Challenge is a prize competition with a $1,000,000 total prize purse to be divided among teams that develop software to increase the autonomy of dexterous humanoid robots. Teams will use software to control a simulated R5 to resolve problems in a virtual environment. NASA is providing the prize purse. Space Center Houston in partnership with Nine Sigma will manage the challenge.
**DATES:**
Challenge registration opens August 16, 2016 and will remain open until September 16, 2016.
Other important dates:
September 19, 2016—Qualification Software version 1
November 15, 2016—Qualification Deadline
December 1, 2016—Qualification Results Announced
June 13-16, 2017—Virtual Competition
**ADDRESSES:**
The Space Robotics Challenge is a virtual competition. The qualification rounds will take place at participant labs and the final competition will take place at Space Center Houston/Johnson Space Center.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
To register for or get additional information regarding the Space Robotics Challenge, please visit: *www.spaceroboticschallenge.com.*
For general information on the NASA Centennial Challenges Program please visit: *http://www.nasa.gov/challenges.* General questions and comments regarding the program should be addressed to Monsi Roman, Centennial Challenges Program, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL 35812. Email address: *[email protected].*
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
**Summary**
The following virtual challenge scenario serves as a backdrop for developing coding advancements that enable the autonomy of humanoid robotics:
In the not too distant future, R5 as arrived on Mars along with supplies ahead of a human mission. Overnight a dust storm damaged the habitat and solar array, and caused the primary communication antenna to become misaligned. R5 must now repair an air leak in the habitat, deploy a new solar panel, and align the communication antenna.
Teams will use software to control a simulated R5 in order to resolve the problems caused by the dust storm. Each team will be evaluated according to a scoring metric that considers the number of tasks completed and the time required to complete the tasks.
The competition arena will contain a rover, solar panels, communication dish, and a habitat on a Martian plain. Each component will be within eyesight and walking distance of each other. Practice environments, similar to those used in the final competition, will be provided to teams.
**I. Prize Amounts**
The total Space Robotics prize purse is $1,000,000 (one million U.S. dollars).
$100,000 Engagement Challenge
$300,000 Qualifying round (The top 20 qualifying teams will receive $15,000 each)
$600,000 Virtual Competition with prizes as follows:
First place: $125,000
Second place: $100,000
Third Place: $50,000
Fourth Place: $25,000
$50,000 bonus prizes awarded to as many as 6 teams
**II. Eligibility**
To be eligible to win a prize, competitors must;
(1) Register and comply with all requirements in the rules and Team Agreement;
(2) In the case of a private entity, shall be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States, and in the case of an individual, whether participating singly or in a group, shall be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States; and
(3) Not be a Federal entity or Federal employee acting within the scope of their employment.
**III. Rules**
The complete rules for the Space Robotics Challenge can be found at: *www.spaceroboticschallenge.com.*
Cheryl Parker,
NASA Federal Register Liaison Officer.