From 5 to 7 September 2014, Poland hosts the European Rover Challenge that is an European version of US University Rover Challenge. The event attracts many students of technical universities from around the world and people who spend their free time putting together amazing robotic vehicles.
The best robot stands a chance of taking part in a real mission to Mars. For instance, Magma White, one of the awarded Polish robots which was constructed by students from Toruń, is currently taking part in equipment tests in the run-up to the ExoMars mission that will fly to the Red Planet in 2018.
It is the first time when such event is organised outside the US. Thanks to the efforts of Mars Society Poland the European Mars rovers competition will be permanently locate in Poland. The organization is a local representative of The Mars Society. Together they participate in the global preparations for a manned flight to Mars.
Polish students have achieved many successes in US University Rover Challenge. They have been climbing the winners’ podium since 2010; in 2013 Polish teams from the universities of technology in Białystok and Wrocław pulled off a spectacular coup, finishing first and second.The event will be held in Chęciny, in the Świętokrzyskie province.
Simultaneously with the Challenge, will be organized an European Mars Conference on the topic ‘Humans in Space’, intended for experts who share the vision of a manned flight to Mars, as well as for other professionals (e.g. members of the space industry, the medical industry, academics from other fields), and entrepreneurs.
Source: Mars Society Polska, Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency, the European Rover Challenge
Photo © Mars Society Polska