INTERNATIONAL
ROVER CHALLENGE - 2025

Certificate in Space Robotics - Rover Development

Since the announcement of SPROS Week, we have been dedicated to recognising and celebrating individual excellence within the space rover teams. While team awards have been our primary focus, we strongly believe that individual contributions deserve equal recognition alongside team achievements.

To honour exceptional contributions, we are thrilled to introduce the “Certificate in Space Robotics – Rover Development,” which will be awarded to the top 15-20 students from rover teams participating at this year’s IRC. These certificates will be presented by a special guest during a convocation on the opening day of SPROS Week in Goa, on January 28, 2025.

Guidelines for Eligibility

Who Can Apply:

  • Students currently in their 3rd or 4th year of an engineering program.
  • Students who participated in person at IRC 2024 and are actively participating in IRC 2025.

Application Limit:

  • A maximum of two students per team may apply for the award.

Selection Criteria:

  • From all applications, the top 15–20 students will be selected based on merit.

Application Process

Essay Submissions

  1. Essay 1 (300 words, 20 points): Curiosity often fuels innovation. Share an example of how your curiosity led to an innovative solution and contributed to your growth and your team’s success.
  2. Essay 2 (100 words, 10 points): The mission of the Space Robotics Society is to advance space technology and allied fields for a B.O.L.D. future. What does this mission mean to you, and how does it resonate with your goals and vision? Share your interpretation and perspective.

Individual Experience Report (70 points)

Guidelines for the Report

  1. Cover Page
  • Title: “Individual Experience Report – [Your Name & E-mail]”
  • Subtitle: “Contributions to Space Rover Development – [Team Name] (MMYY-MMYY)”
  • Institution Name and Team Logo
  • Date of Submission
  • Names of Team Lead/Ex-Team Lead and Faculty Advisor
  1. Table of Contents
  • Include sections and sub-sections with page numbers.
  1. Introduction
  • Overview of the Project
  • Your Role in the Team
  1. Your Contributions

Provide a detailed breakdown of your individual contributions:

  • a. Specific Roles and Responsibilities
  • b. Technical Work
  • c. Managerial Work
  • d. Problem-Solving: Highlight challenges faced and solutions implemented.
  • e. Learning and Skills Developed: Categorize into technical and soft skills.
  1. Competitions and Events
  • List competitions or showcases where the rover was presented (e.g., International Rover Challenge).
  • Highlight specific tasks or events where your contributions were critical.
  • Mention any individual awards or recognitions.
  1. Reflections and Personal Growth
  • Reflect on how this experience has shaped your technical and professional development.
  • Discuss its influence on your interest in space robotics or career aspirations.
  1. Future Goals
  • Share plans for future learning, research, or projects in space robotics.
  • Mention long-term goals, such as a career in space exploration or advanced robotics.
  1. Conclusion

Formatting Tips:

  • Use professional formatting with clear headings and subheadings.
  • Enhance with visuals like diagrams, charts, and photos.
  • Keep the report concise, ideally 8–12 pages.

Optional: Research Work (10 Bonus Points)

  • Include details of any research work(s) directly contributed by you, provided it is relevant and verifiable.

Additional Requirements

  1. Applicants must submit their photograph and a certificate from IRC 2024.
  2. Only students who will be physically present at SPROS Week are eligible to apply.
  3. The dress code for the convocation is formal, and it is mandatory to follow. (If any team is travelling to IRC before January 26, both applicants must ensure they carry formal attire to avoid any last-minute issues)
  4. The details provided in the report must be verifiable by your team lead. If judges require, they will send a verification form to your team lead, so please ensure you include their email address in the submission form. If the team lead is applying, the verification will be conducted by the previous year’s team lead.

Submission Instructions:

  • Submit all documents (essays and report) in PDF format.
  • Include the Google Drive link for any published research work.
  • Submission Deadline: 6 PM IST, 24 January 2025.
  • Selected candidates will be informed on 25 or 26 January 2025.