URC2026 News

Mars Rover Design Team Repeats as Champions at URC2026

After 3 days of incredible competition, the 2026 University Rover Challenge (URC2026) celebrated back-to-back champions, the Mars Rover Design Team, from the Missouri University of Science and Technology in the United States. This was their second consecutive championship and third overall, having previously won in 2017.

Monash Nova Rover, from Monash University (Australia), finished in second place, their third podium finish in the last five years. UIU Mars Rover, from United International University (Bangladesh) finished in third place, their first ever podium finish.

1. Mars Rover Design Team; Missouri University of Science and Technology (United States) - 469.6 points

2. Monash Nova Rover; Monash University (Australia) - 412.4 points

3. UIU Mars Rover; United International University (Bangladesh) - 400.4 points

Michigan Mars Rover (MRover), from the University of Michigan in the United States, won the inaugural INCOSE Foundation Excellence in Systems Engineering Award. Grant Quartuccio, part of the A.S.T.R.A. team from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in the United States, was this year's winner of the John Barainca Memorial Award for Outstanding Scientist.

A record 116 teams from 18 countries began the year competing in URC2026. In March, the top 38 teams were invited to compete in the URC2026 Finals, which concluded May 30, 2026 at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah. For URC, teams of college students design and build the next generation of Mars rover that will one day work alongside astronauts exploring the Red Planet. Teams and their rovers compete in 4 separate missions (Science, Delivery, Equipment Servicing, and Autonomous Navigation Missions). Mission scores are combined with scores from an earlier design review for the final standings.

The final scores for all 38 finalists are available at https://urc.marssociety.org/home/about-urc/urc2026-scores.

URC and the Mars Society would also like to thank our incredible sponsors and educational partners: ProtoSpace Mfg, the Nissan Advanced Technology Center - Silicon Valley, MDA Space, Astrolab, Honeybee Robotics, the INCOSE Foundation, and the KISS Institute for Practical Robotics!

MDA Space Returns as a Sponsor of 2026 University Rover Challenge

May 18, 2026

The Mars Society is excited to welcome MDA Space back as a sponsor of the 2026 University Rover Challenge!

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space (TSX:MDA; NYSE:MDA) is a trusted mission partner to the global defence and space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The global MDA Space team of more than 4,000 space experts has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that's been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we'll take you there. For more information, visit mda.space.

Nissan Advanced Technology Center - Silicon Valley Continues Strategic Partnership with the 2026 University Rover Challenge

April 21, 2026

The Mars Society is proud to announce that the Nissan Advanced Technology Center – Silicon Valley (NATC-SV) has renewed its sponsorship of the University Rover Challenge (URC) for the 2026 competition, marking the third consecutive year of this high-impact collaboration.

Based in Silicon Valley, NATC-SV serves as the global hub for Nissan’s research into Artificial Intelligence and next-generation mobility. The center’s work spans the full spectrum of automotive innovation—from developing novel battery materials to architecting the software-defined vehicle (SDV) platforms that will define the next decade of transport. By supporting the URC, NATC-SV bridges the gap between planetary exploration robotics and real-world autonomous mobility solutions.

“Entering our third year, our partnership with the University Rover Challenge has become a cornerstone of how we scout for visionaries,” said Dr. Maarten Sierhuis, vice president and global head of the Nissan Advanced Technology Center – Silicon Valley. “Seeing how these students solve complex mobility problems in extreme environments like the MDRS provides a unique window into the future of autonomous systems. We aren't just sponsoring an event; we are actively engaging with the next generation of engineers who will redefine what mobility means on Earth—and potentially beyond. We look forward to seeing the incredible technical leaps these teams will make this year.”

This partnership is deeply rooted in the objectives of Nissan’s Ambition 2030 program, which drives the company’s transition toward global implementation of intelligent mobility. As Nissan moves from the development phase to the widespread deployment of advanced driver-assistance systems, the insights gained from extreme-condition robotics—such as those showcased at the URC—are becoming vital to the refinement of our software-defined vehicle architecture. By fostering a community where space exploration talent intersects with automotive engineering, Nissan continues to build the expertise necessary to scale autonomous technologies across its global lineup.

About NATC-SV:

The Nissan Advanced Technology Center – Silicon Valley is the center of global excellence for Artificial Intelligence and next-generation mobility solutions at Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Its mission is to invent real solutions for tomorrow by combining robotics, autonomy, computer science, and social sciences.

About the University Rover Challenge:

The University Rover Challenge (URC) is the world’s premier robotics competition for college students, held annually in the desert of southern Utah, USA. URC challenges student teams to design and build the next generation of Mars rovers that will one day work alongside astronauts in the field.

Astrolab Returns as a Sponsor of 2026 University Rover Challenge

April 16, 2026

The Mars Society is excited to welcome Astrolab back as a sponsor of the 2026 University Rover Challenge!

Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is on a mission to move humanity forward to the next horizon by designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi-purpose rovers for all planetary surface needs. Astrolab is proud to be one of only three companies selected by NASA for its Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services (LTVS) program, which will provide the next-generation lunar rover to transport astronauts on the surface of the Moon as part of the Artemis program.

Formed by a highly specialized team of NASA veterans, former SpaceXers, and JPL engineers, Astrolab is laser-focused on providing adaptive mobility solutions essential for life beyond Earth. The team brings industry-leading experience in terrestrial and planetary robotics, electric vehicles, human spaceflight, and more.

Astrolab’s depth of expertise, combined with strategic partnerships—including with electric vehicle pioneer Venturi Group—enables the delivery of Lunar and Mars mobility offerings with maximum reliability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. The company is headquartered in Hawthorne, California. For more information, visit astrolab.space and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

The Mars Society and INCOSE Foundation Announce Systems Engineering Award for University Rover Challenge

March 31, 2026

The Mars Society is proud to welcome the INCOSE Foundation as an Educational Partner of the University Rover Challenge (URC). The INCOSE Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable organization affiliated with the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). The INCOSE Foundation is committed to rewarding skills through scholarships for those engaged in finding solutions to complex technical challenges at all stages of their education or career.

Together the organizations are pleased to announce the establishment of the INCOSE Foundation Excellence in Systems Engineering Award. This year, the INCOSE Foundation will honor one URC Team in recognition of their exemplary incorporation of systems engineering methods into the design and construction of their rover – demonstrating that a disciplined, holistic engineering approach, encompassing requirements definition, interface management, and rigorous testing across mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems is as essential to success on the competition field as it is to real-world space exploration.

Dedicated systems engineering judges will assess Preliminary Design Review and System Acceptance Review materials already submitted for URC2026, and conduct in-field evaluations of award finalists during the URC2026 Finals. Up to five of the winning team members competing on site will receive a one-year complimentary INCOSE student membership, a recognition certificate and award plaque, an invitation to present at an INCOSE chapter event or webinar, and mentorship opportunities with INCOSE professional members.

38 Teams Advance to 2026 University Rover Challenge Finals!

March 17, 2026

After an incredibly competitive System Acceptance Review, 38 teams from 11 countries will compete at the URC2026 Finals, being held May 27-30, 2026 at the Mars  Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah!

A record 116 teams from 18 countries began the year competing for a coveted invitation to the URC Finals. Teams submitted both written reports as well as video demonstrations of their rovers, which were scored by URC's panel of judges. The University Rover Challenge commends all of the participating teams for their hard work, dedication, and perseverance!

The 38 Finalists will now spend the next two and a half months refining their rovers and conducting advanced testing to prepare themselves for the field competition in one of the most extreme and Mars-like environments on Earth!

Meet the URC2026 Finalists:

Australia

• Monash Nova Rover; Monash University
  https://www.novarover.space/

Bangladesh

• AAUB Rover71; AVIATION AND AEROSPACE UNIVERSITY, BANGLADESH
  https://www.facebook.com/Rover71.AAUB

• BRACU Mongol-Tori; BRAC University
  https://www.bracu-mongoltori.com/

• MIST MONGOL BAROTA; Military Institute of Science and Technology
  https://mongol-barota.mist.ac.bd/

• Project Altair; Islamic University of Technology

• UIU Mars Rover; United International University
  https://marsrover.uiu.ac.bd/

Canada

• Carleton Planetary Robotics Team; Carleton University
  https://curover.ca/

• Queen's Space Engineering Team; Queen's University
  https://qset.ca/

• Robotics for Space Exploration; University of Toronto
  https://rsx.skule.ca/

• Space Concordia; Concordia University of Montreal
  https://spaceconcordia.ca

India

• Team RUDRA - SRM Mars Rover; SRM institute of Science and Technology , Kattankulathur
  https://srmrudra.com

International (Japan/US)

• KARURA; Tokyo University of Science, Texas A&M University, The University of Tokyo, Waseda University, Hiroshima University, Ritsumeikan University, Chuo University, Kokugakuin University, Musashino Art University, National Institute of Technology Toyama College, Takushoku University, Tohoku University, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, University of Texas at Austin, Aomoriakenohoshi High School, Metropolitan Musashi High School, Yokohama Science Frontier High School
  https://karura-project.studio.site/

Italy

• Team DIANA; Politecnico di Torino
  https://www.teamdiana.it

Japan

• ARES Project; Tohoku University, Keio University, University of Tsukuba, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, University of British Columbia
  https://www.arespjt.jp/

• NAFT Mars Rover; Nagoya University, The University of Tokyo, Meijo University, Chiba Institute of Technology
  https://naft.space

México

• Mars Rover UdeG Space; Universidad de Guadalajara
  https://marsrover.mx

• Quantum Robotics; Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus CEM and Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Universidad Autónoma de México
  https://qrteam.space/

Poland

• IMPULS; Kielce University of Technology
  https://www.facebook.com/marsroverkielce

• KNR Rover Team; Warsaw University of Technology
  https://knr.edu.pl/

• Legendary Rover; Rzeszow University of Technology
  https://legendary.prz.edu.pl/

Republic of Korea

• MR2; KAIST
  https://urc-kaist.github.io/

• Zenith Space; Seoul National University of Science and Technology
  https://zenith.or.kr/

Türkiye (Turkey)

• YILDIZ ROVER; Yıldız Technical University
  https://rover.yildiz.edu.tr/

United States

• A.S.T.R.A.; University of Alabama in Huntsville
  https://space.uah.edu/programs/autosat/astra

• Binghamton University Rover Team; Binghamton University
  https://www.binghamton.edu/watson/competes/rover-team/

• BYU Mars Rover; Brigham Young University
  https://marsrover.byu.edu/

• Cornell Mars Rover; Cornell University
  https://marsrover.engineering.cornell.edu/

• DAM Robotics; Oregon State University
  https://osurobotics.club/

• Husky Robotics; University of Washington Seattle
  https://huskyrobotics.me/

• Mars Rover Design Team; Missouri University of Science and Technology
  https://marsrover.mst.edu

• Michigan Mars Rover (MRover); University of Michigan
  https://mrover.org/

• New Haven Robotics; University of New Haven
  https://robotics.newhaven.edu/

• Northeastern University Mars Rover Team; Northeastern University
  https://nurover.com

• Team Mountaineers; West Virginia University
  https://urc.orgs.wvu.edu/

• Team RoSE (Robotic Space Exploration); University of Hawaii at Manoa

• UMD Loop; University of Maryland, College Park
  https://umdloop.com

• Wisconsin Robotics; University of Wisconsin-Madison
  https://wisconsinrobotics.org/

• Yonder Dynamics; University of California, San Diego
  https://yonderdynamics.org/

The Mars Society Welcomes Honeybee Robotics as Sponsor for 2026 University Rover Challenge

December 22, 2025

The Mars Society is excited to welcome Honeybee Robotics as a sponsor of the 2026 University Rover Challenge.

Solving the Most Complex Problems: Honeybee Robotics, a Blue Origin Company, pursues bold ideas of the future. Is there life outside of Earth? How will humanity become an interplanetary species? These are questions Honeybee’s next-generation robotics are designed to answer. From mining to extraterrestrial infrastructure and mobility systems, we steadfastly pursue “the out of this world” to unlock the full potential of space for the betterment of Earth.

Honeybee specializes in the development of advanced robotic systems and technology solutions. Our focus is on creating innovative mechanisms and instruments for a wide range of applications, including space exploration, planetary science, and various terrestrial industries. Our expertise is in robotics for extreme harsh environments, which includes drilling and sample handling systems, robotic arms, mobility systems, deployment mechanisms and various custom solutions.

Honeybee Robotics is fully owned subsidiary of Blue Origin. Established in 1983, Honeybee Robotics is AS9100C certified, NASA-approved flight hardware supplier with extensive experience in flexible automation technologies, custom mechanisms, spacecraft electro-mechanical components, and robotic systems and subsystems for the aerospace industry. Honeybee Robotics has managed over 600 projects, from small research and development efforts under the SBIR program to larger efforts funded by various NASA programs and multi-million-dollar flight development efforts such as the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT), Icy Soil Acquisition Device (ISAD) for the Mars Phoenix, and Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Sample Manipulation System (SMS) for the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite. Honeybee has launched over 1000 payloads to LEO and several to planetary surfaces. Three CLPS payloads— LISTER on Firefly’s Blue Ghost Lander, PlanetVac on FireFly, and TRIDENT on Intuitive Machine’s NOVA-C lander—were recently successfully operated on the lunar surface.

ProtoSpace Mfg Returns as Sponsor for 2026 University Rover Challenge

October 14, 2025

The Mars Society is proud to welcome ProtoSpace Mfg, the aerospace division of Protocase Inc., back as a major sponsor of the world-renowned University Rover Challenge! See the ProtoSpace Mfg announcement.

ProtoSpace Mfg is tackling one of the biggest barriers to innovation in aerospace and defense: long supplier lead times. Using its High Velocity Mass Customization model — a manufacturing system pioneered by the company — ProtoSpace Mfg delivers custom parts and enclosures in just 2–3 days. All while meeting the rigorous standards of AS9100, full traceability, and ITAR compliance. Like its sister company Protocase, ProtoSpace Mfg never requires a minimum order.

“We’re thrilled to return as presenting sponsor of the University Rover Challenge – and to be celebrating our 11th year of support,” says Allison MacDonald, Marketing Manager for ProtoSpace Mfg. “Innovation doesn’t move in a straight line. When students have to wait a long time to get their parts made, it stalls their progress and energy. By giving them fast access to the custom parts they need, we help them keep momentum — eliminating latency so their ideas can move forward at full velocity. We can’t wait to see what this year’s teams create.”

Instead of using critical design time and effort taking off-the-shelf enclosures, parts and components and modifying them to fit their Mars rover design, all teams registered in the 2026 University Rover Challenge can deploy ProtoSpace Mfg’s state-of-the-art manufacturing to get the exact parts they require.

URC2026 ProtoSpace Mfg Sponsorship

• Each URC team will receive $2,000 (USD) credit towards custom parts manufactured by ProtoSpace Mfg for its Mars rover.
  Note: This $2,000 (USD) credit will NOT count towards a team's rover budget limit

• All teams will receive a 50% discount on all custom parts manufactured beyond the $2,000 (USD) credit.

ProtoSpace Mfg also commits to providing in-kind manufacturing to the University Rover Challenge and Mars Society for its competition and infrastructure needs.

Check out The Journey of the University Rover Challenge, which documents the experience of URC teams who worked with Protocase during previous installments of the University Rover Challenge. 

How Teams Can Work With ProtoSpace Mfg

Once a team is registered for the 2026 University Rover Challenge, team leads or other team members can email urc@protospacemfg.com to be connected with their designated account manager.

To learn more about ProtoSpace Mfg custom sheet metal fabrication and CNC Machining, check out the company’s website, Proto Tech Tip videos and blog. Additional details regarding the ProtoSpace Mfg manufacturing process and important design guidelines will be available to teams in the coming weeks. 

2026 University Rover Challenge Rules Released

September 24, 2025

The University Rover Challenge is excited to announce the release of the rules for URC2026!

Click here for the URC2026 rules.

Registration for the 2025 competition will open on October 1, 2025, and will close on October 29, 2025. All registered teams will be required to submit a Preliminary Design Review package by December 3, 2025, and a System Acceptance Review milestone will follow on February 27, 2026. The top 36 teams will be selected to compete in the 2026 University Rover Challenge Finals, held May 27 - 30, 2026 at the renowned Mars Desert Research Station.

Teams and rovers will compete in 4 missions in 2026: the Science Mission, Delivery Mission, Equipment Servicing Mission, and Autonomous Navigation Mission.