SAIRAM INSTITUTIONS, Chennai, INDIA adastraroverteam@gmail.com

About IRC

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

The International Rover Challenge (IRC) is a space robotics competition that simulates the hostile terrain of Mars here on Earth. Teams are tasked with engineering a rover capable of traversing extreme, uneven landscapes, doing maintenance tasks, performing autonomous navigation in challenging environments, and conducting on-site biological analysis of soil samples. It is not just a competition—it is a proving ground for the next generation of space explorers.

VISION

To inspire and cultivate the next generation of space explorers and scientists by establishing an accessible platform for students to engage in advanced research and development in space technology. This initiative aims to foster a community of lifelong learners and innovators equipped to shape the future of space exploration.

MISSION

To design, build, and operate a rover for exploring and conducting scientific experiments on other planets. Our project advances space exploration by: Pushing Boundaries: Advancing technological frontiers in robotics. Hands-on Learning: Fostering problem-solving and collaboration. STEM Promotion: Vigorously promoting education to prepare future innovators for the challenges of space technology.

IRC 2024

Top 10

IRoC-U 2024

Runner

Mission

Ready

Team Ad Astra contributes a combat-proven rover platform engineered at Sairam Institutions. Building on our competitive legacy—including IRC 2024 Top 10 finishes, IRoC-U 2024 victories, and consistent IRC/URC performances—our 2026 rover iteration introduces critical advancements focused on reliability, resilience, and scientific capability.

DATE

Jan 28 - Feb 2

2026

VENUE

Udupi, Karnataka

India

RADO Mission

Autonomous Operations

A robust perception and navigation architecture designed for reliable operation across complex, unstructured terrain, enabling precise traversal and mission continuity in challenging environments.

IDMO Mission

Dexterous Manipulation

The IDMO task focuses on precision manipulation and fine motor control using a robotic arm. Our rover is capable of performing complex maintenance actions such as opening panels, operating switches, turning knobs, and inserting connectors—demonstrating high-accuracy mechanical interaction in mission-critical scenarios.

AbEx Mission

Scientific Exploration

Vacuum-Based Soil Retrieval: A high-suction soil acquisition mechanism enabling rapid sample collection while minimizing contamination risk during on-site biological analysis tasks.

PIMA

Project Implementation & Management

The Project Implementation and Management Assessment (PIMA) evaluates a team's ability to execute a complex engineering project in a structured, efficient, and professional manner. For Team Ad Astra, this assessment extended far beyond the physical performance of the rover, focusing instead on how the project was conceived, developed, managed, and refined throughout its lifecycle.

Design, build, and operate a rover capable of exploring and conducting scientific experiments on other planets, while inspiring and educating future generations of scientists, engineers, and space enthusiasts.

Get In Touch

SAIRAM INSTITUTIONS

Chennai, INDIA

adastraroverteam@gmail.com

IRC