Two Indian Students' Teams Awarded In NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)?has awarded two Indian?students'?teams in their annual Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC). The KIET Group of Institutions, Delhi-NCR has won the award in the "Crash and Burn" category?and the Kanakia International School from Mumbai was given the "Rookie of the Year" award.
Seven teams from India
A total of seven teams from India had taken part in the HERC this year, held between April 19 and April 20 at the US Space and Rocket Centre in Huntsville, Alabama, near??NASA's?Marshall Space Flight Centre.
Apart from the two winners, teams from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani, Goa Campus; Candor International School, Bengaluru; Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh; Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai; and Young Mind Research and Development, Faridabad als represented Indian at the event.?
72 teams from around the world?
More than 600 students with 72 teams from around the world participated in HERC, and the winners were announced on Monday.
The Parish Episcopal School from Dallas in the United States secured the first place in the high school division and the University of Alabama in Huntsville captured the college/university title.
The participating teams represented 42 colleges and universities and 30 high schools from 24 US states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico?and?13 other countries, including India, from around the world.?
How the awards were decided
The teams were awarded points based on navigating a half-mile obstacle course, conducting mission-specific task challenges?and?completing multiple safety and design reviews with?NASA?engineers, a media release said.
"This student design challenge encourages the next generation of scientists and engineers to engage in the design process by providing innovative concepts and unique perspectives," said Vemitra Alexander, HERC activity lead for??NASA's?Office of STEM Engagement.
What is HERC
According to NASA, HERC is aimed at encouraging research and development of new technologies for future mission planning and crewed space missions to other worlds.?
This was the 30th anniversary of HERC, which is also one of?NASA's?longest-standing challenges.
The HERC is one of?NASA's?eight Artemis Student Challenges reflecting the goals of the Artemis?programme, which seeks to land the first woman and first person of?colour?on the Moon while establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration.??
NASA?uses such challenges to encourage students to pursue degrees and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering?and?mathematics.?
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