Asian Try Zero-G

Simple physics experiments calls for proposals that allow visual confirmation of physical phenomena and require a description of a hypothesis/foundation as mathematically or logically as possible. See the videos from previous ATZ-G experiments for some ideas.

The experiments will be conducted using only items that have been already on orbit or will be re-flight items.

Here is a manifest of items that you can use:

Manifest Download

Please propose an experiment that has never been conducted before (a new experiment) or an experiment that has been conducted in the past but has been further developed or improved. Please refer to the link below for examples of previous experiments.

Video List

1. Students can participate individually or in a group.
2. The experiment must be completed in the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo”.
3. Proposals should not require special tools and only use items that have been already on orbit or will be re-flight items. The items listed in the Manifest Download can also be used in combination with each other.
4. The whole process of the experiment should be no longer than 10 minutes. The procedure should be concise and clear. Application forms can have a video attached as supplementary material.
5. In principle, the experiment should be performed by one astronaut. However, a proposal that has an experiment or exercise performed by multiple crews may also be accepted.
6. The experiment will be recorded on the International Space Station with a high-definition camera. These high-resolution images and videos are downlinked (downloaded) to the ground and distributed to the proposers.
7. Proposals that are assumed to lead to the financial interests of specific groups or organisations will not be accepted. Also, activities of Asian Try Zero-G cannot be used for advertisement.
8. Other astronauts may act as substitutes, depending on JAXA astronaut’s schedule and operational status.
9. It is yet to be determined how many proposals will be selected from all the submissions.

For more details, click here

Students, up to postgraduate, (individuals or teams) must be enrolled in schools in Kibo-ABC countries/region (1) that are participating in Asian Try Zero-G (2).

(1) Kibo-ABC Member countries/region (in alphabetical order) Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam.

Kibo-ABC URL: https://humans-in-space.jaxa.jp/en/biz-lab/kuoa/

(2) Asian Try Zero-G 2025 Participating countries/region (as of November 2024) Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates. Participation from other countries is being coordinated. Please check the official website for the latest participating countries/region.

Asian Try Zero-G： https://humans-in-space.jaxa.jp/en/biz-lab/kuoa/tryzerog/

Call for proposals: Early November 2024
First selections in Australia: Early January 2025
Final selection by JAXA: March 2025
On-orbit experiment: December 2025 – February 2026 (Dates TBA)
Wrap-up session: May 2026

Please note: Schedule may change without prior notice. On orbit experiment date to be determined by the on-orbit schedule.

Some experiments may be considered dangerous on the International Space Station or in the Kibo module. They could also be difficult to realise due to astronaut activity restrictions. When proposing an idea, please consider the following:

A) The following is considered unsafe in the ISS/Kibo

• Use of dangerous materials or object
• Sprinkling a large amount of water (1 litre or more) into the Kibo module.
• Releasing a certain amount of gas, especially ones the ISS doesn‘t have the capability to dispose of
• Scattering tiny articles such as powder, bolts and nuts, and pieces of paper
• Usage of high-speed spinning objects with the large mass
• Fragile objects (glass, etc.)
• Items with sharp edges

B) The following points are considered impractical in the ISS/Kibo:

• Long duration of crew time
• Sacrificing crew’s rights, privacy
• Required to terminate air flow in the cabin for a long period of time
• Blocks crew’s emergency evacuation path, e.g. closing hatches

Example Proposal

Proposal Form

Please refer to the Example Proposal and fill in the following information in the downloadable Proposal Form.

1) Applicant affiliation

2) Title

3) Summary of the proposed experiment (approx. 200 words) Background, purpose, experiment process, predicted results, discussion, etc.

4) Hypothesis/Theory a) Hypothesis

b) Schematic diagram

c) Mathematical/theoretical supposition/scientific basis

5) Items required for implementation

6) Experiment Procedure Please also include the estimated time for each step.

7) Optional: Photo of the applicant (If you wish to be photographed with the astronaut, your photo will be sent up to the ISS and a commemorative photo taken in Kibo together with the astronaut(s). Please note that the photo will be made public.)

Please make sure to provide easy-to-understand explanations of the hypotheses, theories and experimental procedures of your experiment, using diagrams and supplemented videos, etc. Also, if you are sharing a video as supplementary material, please change the file name to the name of the experiment.

Applicants must agree to all of the terms below.

(1) Management of Submitted Proposal

a) JAXA has the right to modify the idea, conduct the activity in space, and apply the result to the public and for educational purposes.

b) Images and pictures in the submitted proposal will be open to the public via JAXA’s website. The images/pictures may be utilised for public/educational purposes.

c) JAXA may use the submitted proposal for public/educational purposes even if the idea is not conducted in space.

d) If any of the requirements are not met, the acceptance can be withdrawn, even after the idea is accepted as a proposed experiment.

(2) Privacy Policy

The personal information collected through this application will only be used to inform the applicant of the selection result, publication, and events related to this project. The videos and photos taken at this program will be made publicly available.

(3) Responsibility of Applicant and Exemption Clause of JAXA

JAXA will not be liable for any problems that may occur during program participation. Applicants need to take full responsibility for solving issues of this nature that may arise.