The Webinar on “Programming for the International Space Station” was hosted on 1st April 2022 by the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) Brac University Student Branch Chapter in collaboration with STEMX-365 to introduce the International Space Station to students and encourage them to participate in the programming competition. Currently, the International Space Station is circling the Earth, serving as a home for astronauts and Russian cosmonauts. In the near future, the possibility of joining this organization is no longer implausible. STEMX-365, an organization that focuses on teaching ISS-based education in developing nations like Bangladesh, has cooperated with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to introduce KIBO RPC to Bangladesh.

Kibo RPC is an impeccable program that allows students to do ISS-based research. This initiative is free for people who want to contribute to research in our nation. In 2019, the first Kibo RPC was initiated. Bangladesh officially entered the 2nd Kibo RPC in 2021, when Team Enigma System from Brac University, Bangladesh, earned second place and the “Crew Award.” In addition, our national anthem was performed on the International Space Station, a tremendous accomplishment for Bangladesh. This year marks the third annual Kibo Robot Programming Challenge. This curriculum is comparable to Zero Robotics, an ISS program produced by MIT that teaches how to build programming for space station robots. This method will be utilized in the future to construct the James Webb Space Telescope. This is an educational program presented by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in which students will program free-flying robots to solve significant challenges (Astrobee).

STEMX-365, which was founded by Mizanul Haque Chowdhury and established by Saba Zamin Chowdhury, will expand, and specialists and university ambassadors who will promote the curriculum will be appointed. There will be several paid and unpaid international partnerships. This organization’s primary objective is to provide the chance for young people to develop practical skills, which is a boon for programmers.

Dr. Md. Khalilur Rhaman, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at Brac University, attended the webinar with the following speakers: Mizanul Haque Chowdhury, Founder of STEMX-365; Saba Zamin Chowdhury, Co-founder of STEMX-365; Razin Bin Issa, Former Team Lead, BracU Mongol Tori and Team member of Enigma Systems; Md. Hashibul Islam, Former Sub Team Lead, BracU Our honorable Mizanul Haque Chowdhury Sir has created STEMX-365 for free for Bangladeshi students since he envisioned something monumental for Bangladesh. Bangladeshi students can represent their nation and contribute by seizing this chance. Sir inspired the students with a speech on the International Space Station (ISS) and future STEMX-365 projects, and he expressed his pride in the Enigma System team’s second-place finish in the competition. Saba Zamin Chowdhury, the co-founder of STEMX-365, then addressed Kibo RPC and Astrobee as well as the competition conducted on September 22. In addition, she outlined the steps necessary to participate in the program, praised the Enygma System Team, and encouraged the students to step up and represent the nation with outstanding accomplishments. Our distinguished speakers inspired the programmers and instilled confidence in them to win more accolades like the Enigma System Team, despite the increasing difficulty of the competition. Dr. Md. Khalilur Rhaman, our esteemed lecturer, concluded his address by recommending the programmers to study more about three-dimensional positions for prospective projects. 

Team Enigma System has given a comprehensive presentation on the robots of Kibo RPC and the Space Station. Razin Bin Issa began his presentation by describing a clear view of Astrobee with a laser pointer, which was one of the most vital components. He then emphasized the significance of both the front and rear views of Astrobee and demonstrated the simulation of Kibo RPC 3 and its operation. Then Md. Hashibul Islam spoke first on the 2019-introduced Kibo RPC1. Second, he provided a comprehensive top view of the inside of the Kibo Module and covered calculating the QR and reading the AR Tag to determine the target position, as well as explaining the QR code and AR tag. Thirdly, he introduced the module’s simulation. Md. Firoz Wadud briefly addressed the topic of Kibo RPC2 later on. He noted that Kibo RPC2 differs from the preceding module in terms of the KOZ (keep out zone) layout and also explored the obstacles. Afterward, he emphasized that the strong message for Enigma System Team was “Amar Shonar Bangla.” Lastly, Mursalin Ahmed addressed the audience about the workshop, and he and the other team members responded to all of the questions.

The seminar concluded after around two hours of remarkable sharing of information. The major objective of the webinar was to provide interested students with a comprehensive understanding of space technology, which was evidently accomplished.