The European Rover Challenge is an event during which teams from all over the world compete on a special Martian track (the so-called Mars Yard). Teams compete in two formulas: ON-SITE and REMOTE. The teams present in Kielce use the rover they have designed to face tasks modeled on actual Martian missions. Competitors taking part in the remote formula use the ExoMy, designed by the European Space Agency, to complete the tasks.

The second part of the event is the Inspiration Zone, with numerous lectures and workshops waiting for visitors. Each of the three days of #ERC2023 has a theme, and each is filled with talks in the main auditorium (and on the event’s broadcast) and on the weekend with activities in the exhibitor area.

What is the martian rover competition about? What are the rules?

ERC is not just about rovers! Attractions & event program

Meet the teams taking part in the finals

Learn more about Occupy Mars: The Game

AGENDA

The rover competition and the livestream will be available to visitors every day (September 15–17, 2023, Friday to Sunday) on the campus of the Kielce University of Technology. Exhibitor zone and on-site speaker presentations will be available mostly during the weekend (September 16–17). Below you can find an agenda of the online broadcast & on-site activities. Participation in the event is free of charge. The 3-day livestream will be provided exclusively in English.

Watch the livestream

Date

Filter

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

European Rover Challenge – World Finals (DAY 1)

World finals of European Rover Challenge 2023. Student teams from all over the world compete for the title of the best rover construction. Attendees can follow their progress on-site 15–17 in Poland, Kielce.

11.00am

STATIONARY (ENG)

The Case for Space: How the Revolution in Spaceflight Opens a Future of Limitless Possibilities + Q&A

A lecture by Dr Robert Zubrin – founder of „The Mars Society”

12.00pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Conversations with Jury & space industry experts

Marsyard studio

4.00pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Day summary

STATIONARY (ENG)

European Rover Challenge – World Finals (DAY 2)

World finals of European Rover Challenge 2023. Student teams from all over the world compete for the title of the best rover construction. Attendees can follow their progress on-site 15–17 in Poland, Kielce.

10–5.00pm

STATIONARY (ENG)

Inspiration zone

Presentations, debates and exhibitors

The Inspiration Zone is a place where everyone, regardless of age and space passion will find something for themselves. The ERC audience will not only experience amazing projects prepared by the robotics competition participants, but also see speakers and inventions from around the world, as well as an endless number of demonstrations, attractions and scientific experiments. On the main stage of the event, the attendees will see foremost inspiring presentations that will take them to the farthest corners of the universe but also various debates, in which experts from the industry related to the exploration of extraterrestrial space will share their work with the audience.

10.00am

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Takeoff (DAY 2)

A brief competition status presented by ERC Jury representatives.

10.30am

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

A Traveller’s Guide To The Stars

Keynote presentation

Les Johnson – Sci-Fi author, physicist and NASA technologist

11.15am

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

A dream voyage to the Moon and beyond

Debate

Join renowned experts from diverse fields as they examine the profound influence of literature, sci-fi, and space movies on our perception of the cosmos. Discover how science, cinematography, and literature inspire future generations of explorers, designers, architects, and engineers. Embark on this dream voyage to the Moon and beyond, where imagination meets reality.

Participants:
Les Johnson, author and NASA technologist
Prof. Gabriel Patrocinio, ISMAT
Kamil Muzyka, PFFN
Amelia VanderLaan, Consulate General of the United States of America in Krakow
Prof. Patrick Vaughan, UJ Dept. of American Studies, History of SciFi
Helena Milevych, KP Labs

12.00pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Conversations with Jury & space industry experts

Marsyard studio

12.30pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Inspiration zone showcase

All eyes on ERC exhibitors, rovers and student teams. A short segment dedicated to all those who shape the success of the ERC.

2.00pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

The Unique Role of Geologic Mapping in Support of Lunar Exploration

Keynote presentation

JAMES A. SKINNER, Jr. – Supervisory Geologist and USGS-NASA Planetary Geologic Mapping Program Coordinator (online)

2.45pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

The Artemis endeavor: a journey of international collaboration to the Moon

Debate

An interdisciplinary conversation with experts from diverse fields delving into the Artemis program's achievements and upcoming lunar exploration projects. This discussion highlights the collaborative efforts between the United States and Poland / Europe in space exploration and emphasizes the significance of intercultural dialogue and cooperation in fostering technological advancements, innovative solutions, and mission planning for future space endeavors.

Participants:
James A. Skinner, Jr. USGS-NASA (online)
Maria Antonietta Perino, Thales Alenia Space (online)
Nico Dettmann, ESA Head of Lunar Transportation Group (HRE-L)
Prof. Grzegorz Wrochna, POLSA
Dr Gordon Wasilewski, OFFWorld Europe (online)
Anna Krzyżanowska, Danish Technological Institute

3.30pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Conversations with Jury & space industry experts

Marsyard studio

4.00pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Inspiration zone showcase

All eyes on ERC exhibitors, rovers and student teams. A short segment dedicated to all those who shape the success of the ERC.

4.30pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Crime in space: Threat to Our Future

Lecture

Artemis Westenberg – CEO, Explore Mars Europe


Crimes in Space seems like an esoteric subject only for those of us that like to philosophize about happenstance events in the future. However, is that really so? What if a commercial/tourist astronaut, while in space, decides that he/she would like to do the EVA, in stead of a crewmember that is slated for that EVA and thus proceeds with hurting that crewmember? What if my (imaginary) Asteroid Mining Company miscalculates in the trajectory of the asteroid I am moving into Earth orbit to harvest its riches, and bye-bye Krakow? Sure, the Space Treaty stipulates that Governments (not companies!) are liable for damages. But who will adjudicate? How binding will the judgement be? What is clear that we need to figure out, and soon too, how to handle the expanding presence of humans in Space. Join me in my journey along the near future and what we need to agree on to make Space travel fair and keep it honest for everyone.

5.10pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Day summary

STATIONARY (ENG)

European Rover Challenge – World Finals (DAY 3)

World finals of European Rover Challenge 2023. Student teams from all over the world compete for the title of the best rover construction. Attendees can follow their progress on-site 15–17 in Poland, Kielce.

10–4.00pm

STATIONARY (ENG)

Inspiration zone

Presentations, debates and exhibitors

The Inspiration Zone is a place where everyone, regardless of age and space passion will find something for themselves. The ERC audience will not only experience amazing projects prepared by the robotics competition participants, but also see speakers and inventions from around the world, as well as an endless number of demonstrations, attractions and scientific experiments. On the main stage of the event, the attendees will see foremost inspiring presentations that will take them to the farthest corners of the universe but also various debates, in which experts from the industry related to the exploration of extraterrestrial space will share their work with the audience.

10.00am

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Takeoff (DAY 3)

A brief competition status presented by ERC Jury representatives.

10.30am

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Powering the Global Green Deal with Earth Observations

Keynote presentation

Dr. Anna Burzykowska – Copernicus Innovation Officer, European Space Agency

11.00am

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Space sector: driving Earth’s sustainable development. Towards Space Transformation?

Debate

Join experts from various fields in a conversation about the role of the space sector in Earth's sustainable development. Explore the sector's development and its potential for daily life applications. Discover the driving force behind transformative changes in our modern world. This discussion supports UN SDG17 goals, emphasizing Earth observation, geolocation, technology transfer, satellite communication, space science, and exploration.

Participants:
Anna Burzykowska (Copernicus Innovation Officer, ESA)
Prof. Alessandro Golkar (Technical University of Munich / MIT)
Dr Aleksandra Bukała, POLSA
Artemis Westenberg, Explore Mars Europe

11.50am

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Conversations with Jury & space industry experts

Marsyard studio

12.10pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Inspiration zone showcase

All eyes on ERC exhibitors, rovers and student teams. A short segment dedicated to all those who shape the success of the ERC.

12.50pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

“Mars on Earth” photographic project presentation

Matjaž Tančič

2.00pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Orbiting Opportunities: Bridging Space Innovations and Everyday Business for Earth’s Future

Keynote presentation

Shelli Brunswick (online) – COO of Space Foundation, UNOOSA Mentor, brings a broad perspective and deep vision of the global space ecosystem

2.30pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Investing in the space sector

Debate

Engage in an interdisciplinary dialogue between investors, business representatives, and space sector experts, exploring the transformative impact of space technologies, data, and services in addressing current and future Earth challenges and crises. The debate will highlight the immense potential of the space sector in generating employment opportunities, fostering start-ups, and driving innovation across various aspects of our daily lives.

Participants:
Shelli Brunswick, Space Foundation (online)
Yigal Harel and Yifat Ferrer, WeSpace Technologies (online)
Raphael Roettgen, E2MC Ventures
Michał Chwieduk, ESA BIC Poland
Dr Krzysztof Kanawka, Blue Dot Solutions
Igor Kolek, Neurospace

3.20pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG)

Inspiration zone showcase

All eyes on ERC exhibitors, rovers and student teams. A short segment dedicated to all those who shape the success of the ERC.

4.00pm

LIVESTREAM (ENG) STATIONARY (ENG)

Award ceremony

Let's find out which teams made it to the podium of both on-site and remote formula of the competition.

12.30pm

STATIONARY (ENG)

Ask Me Anything! ESA BIC Poland

WHERE: Meeting point next to Auditorium

Michal Chwieduk – Startups, teams and people willing to start their own business are welcome to ask us about possible support opportunities at ESA BIC Poland

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Inspiration Zone?

An important part of the European Rover Challenge, which distinguishes this project from other events of this type organised around the world, is the Inspiration Zone accessible to the general public.

We are visited by viewers of almost all ages. Most of them are people interested in astronomy, new technologies and science, but there are also those who appeared at the ERC quite by accident and now accompany us at each new edition. A large group of visitors to the Inspiration Zone are families with children, so we make sure that there are also attractions for the youngest. Following the slogan “we inspire the new generation”, we have been bringing space and the growing role of modern technologies in our lives to the general public for seven years now. An inseparable part of this process are shows, workshops and presentations prepared by our exhibitors as well as lectures, talks and debates with the participation of guests from all over the world.

What is the difference between the two ERC2022 formulas?

On-site formula:
In the on-site formula, the teams work hard for twelve months to prepare a fully functional Martian robot according to the requirements set by the organizer. Each team consists of specialists in mechatronics, automation, robotics, autonomy, communication, and navigation. They are accompanied by departments related to administration, team management, promotion, and finance.

The competition aims to demonstrate and evaluate the achievements and proposed solutions. All tasks are designed to eliminate the "luck" factor, so teams should be carefully prepared to complete them.

Remote formula:
The teams participating in the competition will use the same equipment (ExoMy mobile robots and UR3 robotic arm) and will be tasked with demonstrating their skills in software development, mission planning, risk management, and other soft skills.