{"id":769045,"date":"2023-10-12T13:37:26","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T17:37:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=769045"},"modified":"2023-10-12T13:37:26","modified_gmt":"2023-10-12T17:37:26","slug":"dozens-of-student-teams-worldwide-to-compete-in-nasa-rover-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=769045","title":{"rendered":"Dozens of Student Teams Worldwide to Compete in NASA Rover Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Students<\/figure>
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Students from Alabama A&M University near Huntsville, Alabama, pilot their vehicle through the obstacle course at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center during NASA\u2019s Human Exploration Rover Challenge event on April 22, 2023. <\/div>\n
Credits: NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NASA has selected 72 student teams to begin an engineering design challenge to build human-powered rovers that will compete next April at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, near the agency\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center.<\/p>\n

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024, the Human Exploration Rover Challenge<\/a> tasks high school, college, and university students to design, build, and test lightweight, human-powered rovers on an obstacle course simulating lunar and Martian terrain, all while completing mission-focused science tasks.<\/p>\n

Participating teams<\/a> represent 42 colleges and\u00a0universities and 30 high schools from 24 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 13 other nations from around the world. NASA\u2019s handbook<\/a>\u00a0has complete proposal guidelines and task challenges.<\/p>\n

\u201cThroughout this authentic learning challenge, NASA encourages students to improve their understanding of collaboration, inquiry, and problem-solving strategies,\u201d said Vemitra Alexander, rover challenge activity lead, Office of STEM Engagement at NASA Marshall. \u201cImproving these critical real-world skills will benefit our students throughout their academic and professional careers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Throughout the nine-month challenge, students will complete design and safety reviews to mirror the process used by NASA engineers and scientists. The agency also incorporates vehicle weight and size requirements encouraging students to consider lightweight construction materials and stowage efficiency to be replicate similar payload restrictions of NASA launch operations.<\/p>\n

Teams earn points throughout the year by successfully completing design reviews and fabricating a rover capable of meeting all criteria while completing course obstacles and mission tasks. The teams with the highest number of points accumulated throughout the project year will win their respective divisions. The challenge will conclude with an event April 19 and April 20, 2024, at the U.S. Rocket and Space Center.<\/p>\n

This competition is one of nine\u00a0Artemis Student Challenges<\/a>\u00a0and reflects the goals of NASA\u2019s\u00a0Artemis program<\/a>, which includes landing the first woman and first person of color on the Moon. It is managed by NASA\u2019s Southeast Regional Office of STEM Engagement<\/a> at Marshall.\u00a0<\/a>NASA\u00a0uses challenges and competitions to further the agency\u2019s goal of encouraging students to pursue degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.<\/p>\n

For more information about the challenge, visit:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/roverchallenge\/home\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n

-end-<\/p>\n

Claire O\u2019Shea
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
claire.a.oshea@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

Christopher Blair
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-544-0034
christopher.e.blair@nasa.gov<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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