Mission Mars on Earth: Team Obseract at SPROS International Rover Challenge 2026

Space exploration is no longer confined to national space agencies. At the SPROS International Rover Challenge (IRC) 2026, student teams from across the globe come together to design, build, and operate rovers capable of performing realistic Martian missions. Representing JU Mechatronics Club, Team Obseract is proud to take on this challenge with a rover engineered for autonomy, precision, and reliability.

About IRC 2026

Scheduled from 28th January to 2nd February 2026 in Udupi, Karnataka, the SPROS International Rover Challenge is a global university-level competition that simulates Mars exploration scenarios. Teams are evaluated not only on rover performance but also on engineering design, project management, and operational strategy.

Team Obseract: JU Mechatronics Club

Team Obseract is a multidisciplinary team comprising students from mechanical design, electronics, embedded systems, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Backed by the JU Mechatronics Club, the team focuses on building robust space-grade systems while maintaining a strong emphasis on innovation, system integration, and real-world constraints.

ABEx: Astrobiology Expedition

The Astrobiology Expedition task transforms the rover into a mobile science laboratory. In this module, Team Obseract’s rover is designed to autonomously collect soil samples, analyze them using onboard sensors, and identify potential biosignatures that may indicate the presence of life.

This task integrates precision actuation, sensor fusion, and intelligent decision-making. The focus is on contamination-free sample handling, accurate localization, and efficient scientific workflows, mirroring real astrobiology missions on Mars.

R&DO: Reconnaissance & Delivery Operation

In the Reconnaissance & Delivery Operation, the rover must search an unknown terrain, locate specific objects, pick them up, and deliver them to designated locations. This task emphasizes autonomous navigation, object detection, and manipulation.

Team Obseract leverages computer vision, path planning algorithms, and a custom-designed robotic arm to ensure reliable performance in unstructured environments. Dynamic obstacle avoidance and precise end-effector control are key to success in this module.

ID&MO: Instrument Deployment & Maintenance Operation

The Instrument Deployment & Maintenance Operation tests the rover’s ability to interact with a mock-up instrument panel. The rover must traverse a short distance and perform a series of high-precision mechanical operations.

This task highlights the importance of mechanical robustness, accurate kinematics, and intuitive teleoperation. For Team Obseract, it is a demonstration of fine control, system stability, and repeatable performance under competition conditions.

PIMA: Project Implementation Management Assessment

PIMA evaluates the team beyond hardware and software. It involves one-to-one interactions with judges to assess the engineering process, project planning, risk management, and system documentation.

Team Obseract approaches PIMA as an opportunity to showcase structured development, design trade-offs, testing methodologies, and lessons learned—core skills essential for real-world aerospace and robotics projects.

Our Vision

Through IRC 2026, Team Obseract aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world space robotics. The competition is not just about winning tasks—it is about building systems that reflect the challenges of extraterrestrial exploration.

As we move closer to human missions to Mars, student-led initiatives like IRC play a vital role in shaping the next generation of space engineers. Team Obseract is excited to contribute to this journey, one autonomous rover at a time.