FAQ

Click here to join our 2024 mailing list and be the first to know when applications open! Please note that there is an associated tuition fee for the program.

Yes! Astrobee builds on the legacy and lessons learned from the SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellite) robots which have been aboard the station for over a decade. The Astrobee system has been fully commissioned, and it took over for SPHERES as the space station’s robotic test facility, helping us to learn new capabilities in our journey to explore space. The Astrobee system consists of three cubed-shaped robots, software, and a docking station used for recharging. The robots use electric fans as a propulsion system that allows them to fly freely through the microgravity environment of the station. Cameras and sensors help them to “see” and navigate their surroundings. The robots also carry a perching arm that allows them to grasp station handrails in order to conserve energy or to grab and hold items. Exploring this new technology in the 2022 and 2023 competitions was a blast, and we can't wait for summer 2024!

If you are a middle schooler (rising 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th grader), then yes! Many of our students have come from Natick and found the commute to meetings convenient, but we have had team members from many other towns and states as well. In the past few years, our students came from as far as California since our program was available virtually!

We do our best to keep the team small to guarantee 1:1 attention for every participant. We generally accommodate around 5-10 students each summer.

We plan to hold meetings on every Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday evening. The competition beings in late June and runs through early August.

Yes! Right now, we expect MIT and NASA to run a full, live competition for the finals event just as they did in 2023.

Tuition costs $395. This fee covers approximately 30 hours of classroom instruction, plus all of the learning resources we share with our students. It also covers team swag and invitations to exclusive events with MIT and NASA like Career Day, Field Day, and Live Finals! If you submit an application and are accepted to the Natick Novas, we will give you specific instructions on how to proceed with payment and other basic set-up information.

The 2024 payment timeline is as follows: If you receive an acceptance email, a $50 deposit will hold your spot on the team until June 1st. This deposit is refundable until June 15th, at which point it can only be used towards tuition. You should let us know as soon as possible if you choose not to join the team. We will need payment in full, the other $345, by June 15th. If you do not pay in full by June 15th, your spot on the team will open to students on the waitlist or new applicants. If you prefer, you can send a check to us for all $395. Tuition is nonrefundable.

The 2020 team was sponsored by Cognex, MutualOne Bank, Middlesex Savings Bank, and Wegmans. In 2021, we were sponsored by  Roche Bros., Middlesex Savings Bank, Wegmans, and Needham Bank.  In 2022, we were sponsored by The Redhawk Foundation, Wegmans, Roche Bros., Needham Bank, and Middlesex Savings Bank. In the 2023 season, we had 10 sponsors: The Redhawk Foundation, Dave & Buster's, MutualOne Bank, Middlesex Savings Bank, Wegmans, Needham Bank, Roche Bros., Eversource, Exponent, and Chipotle!

If you know any organization that would like to sponsor the Novas, our sponsorship information is as follows: Silver sponsors ($500 or more) get recognition on our website. Gold sponsors ($1,000 or more) get recognized on our website, our team video, and all of our marketing material. Gold sponsorship also comes with a tuition waiver for one of our students. All sponsors' logos will be on the back of our team t-shirts!

This depends on local corporate sponsorship. In the past, we received Gold sponsorship from organizations like Cognex, The Redhawk Foundation, and Dave & Buster's. This funding allows us to award scholarships and significantly reduce students' tuitions. Please email us for specifics.

Yes! Thanks to our amazing sponsors, we offer each participating sibling a $50 scholarship.

Of course! Who doesn't love swag? First of all, every student will receive a team t-shirt. In addition, winners of certain competitions will be able to choose from a variety of prizes. Examples have included stickers, notebooks, locker decorations, Amazon gift cards, books, iTunes gift cards, snack box subscriptions, and more!