

Mars Society Polska
Mars Society Polska (MSP) is an independent branch of The Mars Society, which creates a global network of Martian organizations focused on the idea of research, exploration and colonization of Mars.
MSP has been active since 1999. In the initial period, its main effort was put into the development of the Martian MPV pressurized vehicle project for the competition organized by The Mars Society. At present, it focuses on developing own projects and cooperation with other organizations in Poland and abroad.
MSP initiated and supported the first architectural projects of Martian bases in Poland. Members and associates of MSP participated in the Red Rover Goes to Mars competition and the Spirit and Opportunity Mars rover control program (at JPL in the US), in analog missions at MDRS and Flashline Arctic Research Station. They took an active part in supporting actions for Poland’s accession to the European Space Agency and the establishment of the Polish Space Agency.
Actions taken by MSP increased, among the students at Polish universities, the popularity of Mars rovers construction and participation in international competitions. Already in 2007, one of the MSP members designed and built simple models of planetary robots AMPB 1.0 and AMPB 2.0. They inspired the team to construct a robot and as a first Polish team Skarabeusz (MSP + PW) take part in the URC Mars rover competition in 2009. In 2010 the Magma rover (MSP + PB) won the 3rd place, and in 2011 the Magma2 rover (MSP + PB) won the URC competition. Since then, teams from Polish universities have dominated these competitions. They regularly win or take places on the podium.
After a promotional campaign at universities in 2013, MSP organized the first edition of the European Rover Challenge (ERC) in Poland one year later. Since then, it has been its co-organizer or partner making a significant contribution to the organization of the competition. MSP is responsible for the design and construction of MarsYard and installations required for the ERC tasks. Members of Mars Society Polska are part of the organizational, judging and scientific team.
MSP implements, plans further Martian projects and invites everyone who is close to the idea of manned exploration and colonization of Mars to cooperate and to visit its stand at the Exhibitors Zone.