The Human Exploration Rover Challenge has recognized the achievements of two teams of Indian students hailing from the New Delhi NCR and Mumbai. These talented individuals have been honoured by NASA for their exceptional work.
The KIET Group of Institutions in Delhi-NCR was honoured with the award in the “Crash and Burn” category during the annual Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC) by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Monday. Additionally, the Kanakia International School from Mumbai received the “Rookie of the Year” award.
Over 600 students, comprising 72 teams from various countries, took part in the NASA competition organized by the HERC to commemorate its 30th anniversary. The high school division witnessed Parish Episcopal School from Dallas, United States, emerging as the winners, while the college/university category was claimed by the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
The final event of the annual engineering competition, which is one of NASA’s oldest challenges, took place on April 19 and April 20 at the US Space and Rocket Centre in Huntsville, Alabama, close to the NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Centre.
The teams from 42 colleges and universities, as well as 30 high schools across 24 US states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 13 other countries such as India, participated in the event. They earned points by successfully manoeuvring through a half-mile obstacle course, completing mission-specific tasks, and undergoing various safety and design reviews conducted by NASA engineers, according to a press release.
Vemitra Alexander, the HERC activity lead at NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, emphasizes the significance of the student design challenge in promoting creativity and developing the abilities of prospective scientists and engineers. Through motivating students to engage in the design phase and providing a forum for their distinct viewpoints, NASA seeks to cultivate the competencies essential for organizing forthcoming space missions, such as manned voyages to other celestial entities. This endeavour not only celebrates the 30th anniversary of the challenge but also supports NASA’s continuous dedication to delivering enriching educational opportunities for aspiring space adventurers.
The HERC is part of NASA’s Artemis Student Challenges, which are designed to support the goals of the Artemis program. This initiative aims to land the first woman and first person of colour on the Moon, while also establishing a long-term presence for scientific research and exploration. Through these challenges, NASA aims to motivate students to pursue careers and degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
