Four teams from India to compete in the challenge of NASA Rover

Washington: Four groups of students from India are part of about 80 teams participating in the "Human Exploration Rover Challenge" of the US space agency NASA to help realize their goals for the future exploration of Mars and beyond.

Teams Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering in Maharashtra, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) -Roorkee in Uttarakhand, Sathyabama University in Tamil Nadu, and the Horizon Institute of Engineering and Technology in Uttar Pradesh will take part in the challenge, NASA said in a statement.

The teams from the USA, India, Italy, Germany, Mexico,Colombia, Russia and Puerto Rico will compete in the annual challenge, which will take place in the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, on 8th and 9th April.

The Rover challenge requires student teams to design, build, and test race rovers human-powered through an obstacle course that replicate the terrain potentially found on distant planets, asteroids or moons.

Teams race to finish the obstacle course of three quarters of a mile long in the fastest time, competing for prizes in different divisions.

The event this year includes two new and important changes. Teams are required to design and manufacture their own wheels.

Any component in the course contact surface for traction and mobility, including, but not limited to wheels, tracks, bands or belts, cannot be bought or considered a product off the shelf.

The second new feature is a "challenge samplereturn" optional.

Teams competing in this competition separately collected four samples - liquids, small pebbles, large rocks and soil samples - using a mechanical grabber arm or design and build them.

The event will conclude with a ceremony at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration in Huntsville, where prizes will be presented for the best design, rookie team, pit crew award and other achievements.

Inspired by errant vehicles lunar Apollo missions to the moon, the contest Summons students to solve engineering problems, while highlighting the commitment of NASA to inspire new generations of scientists,engineers and explorers.