ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s space education ambitions received a major boost as a student team from the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) qualified for the global finals of the 6th Kibo Robot Programming Challenge (Kibo-RPC) 2025. The competition, hosted in the Japanese Kibo module of the International Space Station (ISS), showcases cutting-edge robotics programming in microgravity conditions.
Supported by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), NUST’s team “5AM” triumphed over 51 international contenders to secure one of only 13 finalist slots. Organized by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the challenge tasks students with programming free-flying robots aboard the ISS to perform autonomous operations—a rare opportunity to test skills in real space conditions.
This milestone highlights Pakistan’s growing footprint in global space technology initiatives. SUPARCO, instrumental in facilitating the team’s participation, reiterated its commitment to fostering space science education and providing platforms for youth to engage with international research frontiers.
The achievement reflects the potential of Pakistani academia in advanced STEM fields. As Team 5AM prepares for the finals, their journey symbolizes the nation’s aspirations in space innovation, with SUPARCO pledging continued support to nurture future talent in this strategic sector.