The safety and protection of the Rover Challenge student teams, our NASA workforce and all those supporting the competition is NASA’s top priority. According to guidance of the Center for Disease Control and other federal agencies, traveling and gathering in large groups are heavily discouraged at this time. In an effort to comply with guidance and help restrict the spread of COVID-19, we regret that we must cancel this year’s competition. However, some awards will still be given virtually, to reward the work that teams have already completed.
For more than 25 years, the annual NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge and its sponsors have encouraged student teams from the United States and around the world to push the limits of innovation and imagine what it will take to explore the Moon, Mars, and other worlds in the universe. While we are disappointed we will not to be able to host all of the teams at the competition this year, we know that the students have gained significant value from the engineering, teamwork, project tasks they have already completed. We look forward to welcoming the teams back to Huntsville in 2021 as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lunar Roving Vehicle’s first operations on the surface of the Moon.
Overview:
- Rover Challenge will conduct an optional, virtual Awards Ceremony in May. Teams will be able to join as a group or from individual locations. Details will be distributed at a later time.
- Teams who have submitted reports for the following awards by the due date (March 6, 2020) will be eligible for awards. Awards listed in bold text will also require a virtual presentation for eligibility. Video teleconferences will be scheduled with each team to conduct the presentation. For awards not requiring a presentation, no other action is needed for consideration.
- Technology Challenge Award
- Drivetrain Award
- System Safety Award
- AIAA Best Report Award
- AIAA Telemetry/Electronics Award
- Neil Armstrong Best Design Award
- STEM Engagement Award
- 3D Printed Tool (Changed from Bonus Points to an Award).
- It is optional for teams to continue to compete for the awards.
- Please be sure to cancel any hotel reservations and travel plans for attending an in-person event.
Tentative Project Timeline (final determination based on guidance from the Center from Disease Control)
Late April (2 weeks): Oral presentations
Early May: Virtual Awards Ceremony
For more information about NASA’s Artemis Student Challenges, visit: