Astro Pi 2026/27 Opens: Irish Students Can Run Their Code on the ISS

Coding / STEM / Space Science

The European Astro Pi Challenge 2026/27, organised by ESA and the Raspberry Pi Foundation, is now open.

Mission Space Lab is available to students aged 19 and under, working in teams of 2–6 students with support from a mentor. Teams develop a Python program, and qualifying programs are run on an Astro Pi computer aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The 2026/27 Mission Space Lab season opened on 14 September 2026 and runs until 22 February 2027.

Irish Students Are Eligible

Ireland is an eligible ESA member state, meaning students in Irish primary and secondary schools can participate in the European Astro Pi Challenge.

The simpler Mission Zero challenge is also open for the 2026/27 season. Designed for beginners, Mission Zero allows teams of up to 4 students to participate, with a submission deadline of 22 March 2027.

Together, the two challenges provide different entry points for students interested in coding and space science, from the beginner-focused Mission Zero to the more substantial Mission Space Lab project.

Official Mission Space Lab website: European Astro Pi — Mission Space Lab

Ireland information: ESERO Ireland — Astro Pi

CompeteMap: View Mission Space Lab on CompeteMap