INITIALIZING MISSION

Season 2026 • MACE Kothamangalam

ASIAN ROVER CHALLENGE

Global Space Robotics Competition Design. Build. Conquer Mars.

[   ]
REGISTER YOUR TEAM EXPLORE MISSIONS

Registration Deadline

00 Days
:
00 Hours
:
00 Mins
:
00 Secs
0+

Elite Teams

0+

General Footfall

0

Mission Tasks

0

Days of Challenge

About the Challenge

WELCOME TO AsRC 2026

RISA

The Asian Rover Challenge (AsRC) 2026 is an international space robotics competition. designed to inspire innovation, collaboration, and engineering excellence among the next generation of roboticists. Participants are challenged to design, build, and operate autonomous or semi-autonomous planetary rovers capable of completing realistic mission scenarios inspired by future lunar and Martian exploration. AsRC provides a platform for students, researchers, and innovators to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world engineering challenges while fostering international collaboration and technological advancement.

Set in a near-future Mars in the 2040s, AsRC shifts the paradigm from exploration to planetary habitation. The challenge facing humanity is no longer discovering Mars—it is learning how to live, operate, and build there.

Maintenance & Repair

Restoring dormant infrastructure

Sample Recovery

Transporting resource payloads

Pavement Construction

Deploying traversable paths

Science Investigation

In-situ geological study

Mars Rover on terrain

LIVE CHALLENGE

MACE KOTHAMANGALAM 2026

The Competitions

CHALLENGE MISSIONS

Mars terrain
STAGE 1

Qualification Round

Teams submit the required technical deliverables, including engineering documentation and supporting materials. Submissions are evaluated by the judging panel to determine eligibility for the final competition.

System Design Report
Video Presentation
Science Report
Cost Analysis
Settlement Design
3D CAD Model
VIEW GUIDELINES
STAGE 2

On-Site Finals (Field Competition)

Qualified teams compete on-site by completing a series of simulated planetary exploration missions that evaluate rover performance, system reliability, technical design, and operational capability.

Maintenance & Repair
Sample Recovery
Pavement Construction
Science Investigation
Physical Operations
Teams working on rover
Key Dates

MISSION TIMELINE

PHASE 01

Registration Opens

Teams from across the world begin registering. Submit your preliminary designs and team profiles.

July 2026
PHASE 02

Preliminary Design Review

Submit System Design Papers and preliminary rover specifications for expert panel review.

September 2026
PHASE 03

Final Design Review

Teams present detailed designs, testing results, and final rover specifications to judges.

October 2026
PHASE 04

The Grand Challenge

On-field competition at MACE Kothamangalam. Rovers face real Mars-simulated terrain tasks.

November 2026
Location

THE VENUE

MACE Kothamangalam

MACE Kothamangalam

Mar Athanasius College of Engineering

Kothamangalam, Ernakulam, Kerala, India

Strategic Location

45 km from Kochi International Airport, nestled in the foothills of Western Ghats

World-Class Facilities

Custom Mars-simulated test arena with diverse terrain features

Rich Heritage

One of the premier engineering institutions in Kerala, est. 1961

VIEW ON MAP
Join the Mission

REGISTER YOUR TEAM

Ready to push the boundaries of space robotics? Assemble your team, design your rover, and compete against the brightest minds across the globe.

01

Form Your Team

Gather 5-30 university students passionate about robotics

02

Submit Application

Complete registration form with team and university details

03

Start Building

Begin designing and building your Mars rover prototype

REGISTER FOR ASRC

Registration fee applies • For queries: contact@asrc.space

Your Path Forward

What Happens After Registration?

From sign-up to the starting line — here's exactly how your journey unfolds after you register for ASRC 2026.

Registration

Submit your team details and pay the registration fee through the official ASRC portal. All team members must be enrolled university students.

Email Confirmation

You'll receive an email confirmation with your unique team ID, login credentials, and next steps within 48 hours of registration.

Team Verification

Our committee verifies student IDs, institutional affiliations, and team composition to ensure eligibility compliance.

Access to Dashboard

Once verified, your team gains access to the ASRC team dashboard where you can manage members, track deadlines, and view announcements.

Submission Portal Opens

Upload your System Design Document (SDD), video demonstrations, and technical proposals through the secure submission portal.

Review

A panel of expert judges from academia and industry evaluates each submission based on innovation, feasibility, and technical excellence.

Qualified Teams Announced

Selected teams are publicly announced and notified via email with detailed instructions for the on-site competition phase.

Final Confirmation

Qualified teams confirm participation, complete travel logistics, and prepare their rovers for the live competition at MACE Kothamangalam.

Explore. Innovate. Perform.

Mission Overview

The Asian Rover Challenge (AsRC) 2026 simulates the challenges of future planetary exploration through a series of realistic engineering missions inspired by lunar and Martian expeditions.

Teams must demonstrate the capabilities of their rover by completing multidisciplinary tasks that test mobility, autonomy, scientific investigation, robotic manipulation, and systems integration.

Each mission is designed to evaluate how effectively a rover can operate in a demanding extraterrestrial environment while maintaining reliability, precision, and efficiency under real-time conditions.

Competition Philosophy

Modern planetary exploration requires more than a capable robot—it demands a complete engineering solution. AsRC challenges teams to design rovers that combine mechanical innovation, intelligent software, robust electronics, and effective operational strategies into a single, mission-ready system.

Success depends not only on completing tasks but on demonstrating sound engineering principles, safety, teamwork, and problem-solving under competition conditions.

Mission Goals

Mission Categories

Teams will be evaluated across five distinct mission categories, each designed to test specific engineering, scientific, and operational capabilities.

Autonomous Navigation

Navigate through a simulated planetary terrain while avoiding obstacles, planning efficient routes, and operating with minimal human intervention. This mission evaluates localization, path planning, autonomous decision-making, and overall mobility performance.

Equipment Servicing

Perform precision manipulation tasks using robotic arms and end-effectors to interact with mission equipment. Teams must demonstrate accurate control, dexterity, and reliable operation while servicing simulated infrastructure and scientific instruments.

Science Exploration

Collect, transport, and analyze simulated planetary samples to investigate the environment and identify scientifically significant findings. This mission assesses sampling techniques, onboard science systems, and data interpretation.

Settlement Operations

Support the development of a sustainable extraterrestrial habitat by completing construction and infrastructure-related tasks. Teams must demonstrate the ability to assist future human missions through engineering solutions that enable long-term planetary settlement.

Mission Management

Operate the rover through a professional mission control workflow while demonstrating effective planning, communication, situational awareness, and decision-making. This mission evaluates the team's ability to manage mission operations, monitor rover health, respond to unexpected challenges, and coordinate efficiently under time constraints. Emphasis is placed on operational strategy, teamwork, system reliability, and adherence to established mission procedures, reflecting the responsibilities of real-world space mission control teams.

Engineering & Team Standards

Requirements

Rover Requirements

Technical compliance specifications

  • Maximum dimensions & weight limitations
  • Power system & communication regulations
  • Mobility & control systems requirements
  • Safety mechanisms & Emergency stop functionality
  • Electrical safety & component compliance

Complete engineering specifications are detailed in the official rulebook.

Team Requirements

Administrative & eligibility criteria

  • Meet institutional eligibility criteria
  • Register within official timelines
  • Nominate a Team Leader & Faculty Advisor
  • Maintain required student composition
  • Submit technical deliverables before deadlines

Code of Conduct

All participants are expected to uphold the values of professionalism, integrity, and respect.

Respect fellow competitors and officials
Follow judge instructions
Avoid unsportsmanlike behavior
Protect competition facilities
Maintain academic and professional integrity
Follow all event policies

Violations may result in warnings, penalties, or disqualification.

Please ensure the Official rulebook is adhered to and followed.

Competition Resources

RULEBOOK & GUIDELINES RESOURCE DRIVE FAQ
Our Partners

ORGANIZED BY