PVNet will be forming teams!
 

NASA IS HEADING BACK TO THE MOON — AND NEEDS YOUR HELP!

 

To prepare for long-term exploration, NASA must develop advanced mobility systems. One of the biggest challenges? Building rovers that can handle lunar terrain, cross obstacles, and perform complex mission tasks.

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⭐ THE NASA HUMAN EXPLORATION ROVER CHALLENGE (HERC)
 

A global engineering competition inviting middle school, high school, and university teams to design and build rovers capable of navigating lunar-like terrain. Teams will test their vehicles in a real-world setting, mirroring the engineering design processes used at NASA.

🚀 Your Mission:
Design and build a rover that can:

⚙️ Traverse challenging obstacles
🌑 Simulate lunar terrain exploration
🤝 Demonstrate teamwork and problem-solving under pressure
🔬 Complete mission tasks with efficiency and precision

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🌍 Why It Matters:
Exploration of the Moon and Mars requires mobility systems far more advanced than traditional rovers. By joining, you’ll help NASA test new ideas, gain hands-on experience, and push the boundaries of student engineering.

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🏆 What You’ll Gain:
💡 Experience in NASA-style engineering design reviews
🏅 A chance to compete on an international stage
🔬 Collaboration with NASA subject matter experts and industry professionals
🚀 The opportunity to showcase your team’s rover at a real NASA event

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📅 Competition Timeline:

• Proposal Submissions: Open now

• Design Reviews: Fall 2025 – Winter 2026

• Final Excursion Event: April 9–11, 2026 at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama

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🤖 Your Rover Challenge:
⚖️ Human-powered or remote-controlled design
📏 Must pass design, operational, mission, and excursion readiness reviews
🔧 Must complete obstacles and tasks at the final event

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This challenge is more than a race—it’s a stepping stone toward the technologies needed for future lunar and Mars missions.

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Visit the NASA HERC Competition on NASA's website