2019: DESTINATION: DEEP SPACE

Destination: Deep Space was the name for the 2019 FRC competition.  Here is a brief overview of of the challenge:

DESTINATION: DEEP SPACE is a space themed game designed for the 2019 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC).  It is played by two competing Alliances of three Teams each trying to collect samples on Planet Primus. Unpredictable terrain and weather patterns make remote robot operation essential to their mission on the planet. With only 2:30 until liftoff, the alliances must gather as many cargo pods as possible and prepare their spaceships before the next sandstorm arrives.

T-minus 2:30: A sandstorm limits driver visibility so robots independently follow preprogrammed instructions or are operated by human drivers via video from their stations. Alliances score points by:

1. Deploying robots from Habitat
2. Preparing rockets and a cargo ship with hatch panels
3. Loading cargo pods into their rockets and cargo ship.

T-minus 2:15: The sandstorm clears, and human operators take control of their robots . Alliances continue to score points by:

1. Preparing rockets and cargo ship with hatch panels
2. Loading more cargo pods
3. Returning the robot safely to the Alliance’s HAB

0:00: The alliance with the highest score at the end of the match wins.

The password to decrypt the game manual is  $Robots&in#SPACE!!

You can find a copy of the game manual (9-Apr-2019 version) here.