Frequently Asked Questions
Collaboration Mission Detailed Information 2025/04/06
1. The rovers will be controlled by Mission Control. All teams will be able to communicate with each other. Astronauts of all teams will be on the base and all rovers will be on the field along the mission. Astronauts and Mission Control will be able to communicate over intercom/internet. Rovers will communicate with Mission Control wirelessly, see 3.1.6. Communication Equipment Usage in ARC Manual. Astronauts will not be able to control the rovers but they will be able to use any tools to fix or prepare the rovers within the base. Astronauts are expected to help each other’s rover and will be rewarded accordingly.
2. The total mission duration has been extended to 4 hours. There will be a break mid-mission for astronaut exchange.
3. All steps of the Infrastructure Task and Antenna Task will be performed in separate zones in specific time slots.
4. Sensor Task will be performed by a single rover, and is exempt from time slots.
5. On the contrary to ARC Manual v3, each time slot will consist of a 10-minute mission duration at a zone. followed by a 5-minute preparation break.
6. A zone and time slot table will be displayed live to all teams during the mission.
7. During the mission, time slots and zones will be assigned by the Mission Commander, who is a member of the ARC jury board.
8. Each team will be assigned a pawn for scheduling purposes. Teams will request their pawn to be moved to available slots from the Mission Commander.
9. There are 2 zones for each Infrastructure Task step and 1 zone for each Antenna Task step. Teams are expected to form groups and request to place their pawns strategically to reserve a zone for the next time slot.
10. Teams can retry the same step indefinitely, even with different groups. Teams cannot retry if they succeed once.
11. Teams must jointly apply to the Mission Commander along with their selected partners to request a mission slot. Upon approval, the pawns of the involved teams will be placed into the designated slot.
12. Once a slot is occupied, no further changes can be made, the zone is reserved for the group.
13. After completing a mission or voluntarily withdrawing, teams may reassign their pawn to any available zone in the next time slot. To occupy an empty slot, the participating teams cannot be within a locked slot.
14. Team captains will act as the only representatives of their teams.
15. Groups will appoint a single representative from among their members.
16. Juries can ban astronauts from the field for inappropriate behavior.
17. Each team should have at least 2 astronauts prepared for the task as they will switch.
After the finalists' announcement, teams should start communicating with each other to form collaboration plans. Each team must select partners based on respective VPR videos and plan to collaborate with at least three other rovers during the Collaboration Mission.
The presentation should outline these collaborations in detail. For example:
"We planned to collaborate with Team A for Step 5 because their robotic arm is highly effective at keyboard control, while our advanced cameras can assist them in precision tasks. But for Step 6 we will group with Team C as both of our rovers have 360 cameras so we can position each other well whilst carrying pipe."
Teams are encouraged to clearly explain why they chose specific partners and how they plan to work together. Teams should also present their capabilities to the rest of the teams. During the mission, teams will have the flexibility to form or dissolve groups anytime. For example Team A and Team B wanted to collaborate and they presented that in the Collaboration Presentation. If the group formed by Team A and Team B struggles to complete a particular step, Team A might attempt that step by forming a group with Team C instead. Therefore presenting capabilities can get more teams willing to cooperate.
To illustrate their mission design and collaboration strategies, teams should use flowcharts in their presentations. Teams should present their astronaut training program and the graduates. Teams will present the day before the mission. All teams and ARC jury will follow the presentations. Presentations are expected to be 5 minutes long followed by 5 minutes question section. Presentation template is on ARC website ARC’25 Manual page.
You can upload your science report as same as you did previously when you submit your other reports.
Find the report submission e-mail that you received earlier. (A new e-mail won't be sent for science report submission).
Reach the upload page using the URL from the e-mail and password.
Fill the form by using the application code from the report submission e-mail.
You will receive an e-mail after you send the form.
The roofed section of the lava tube is continuous.
The exact shape of the lava tube will not be disclosed. Teams should be prepared for any shape and design their exit algorithms accordingly.
Placing the antenna at the peak area within the antenna zone will be sufficient.
There is a single distinct hill that the rover is expected to search for within the antenna zone.
While the maximum slope angle will not be disclosed, the rovers may expect at least 30 degrees of slopes.
The height will not be disclosed.
Teams are expected to find the coldest region within the Icy Crater using their rovers. Teams are supposed to find the cold spot that is an area with minimum a diameter of 30 cm which may or may not consist of ice.
Report templates are available on the website, with the exception of the Science Report Template, which will be uploaded in the coming weeks. No worries, the deadline for the Science Reports will be postponed.
Yes, teams are required to use drilling as the sampling method.
Whatever you select to test your hypothesis appropriately.
Yes, please use the template that provided in the ARC’25 website.
No, the rover is not required to move on ice. It is required to detect the coldest area in the Icy Crater area.
Suitable height stands for the vicinity of the peak of the antenna area.
The number of rovers required is specified in ARC Manual v.3.
When a mission step is completed successfully, all teams in the group will receive full points.
The teams in the groups are expected to plan their approach together on how to perform the mission step.
Within mission time, each team can repeat the task they were unsuccessful in with any group they wish.
Both are valid. We ask for details of your collaboration with the teams in your collaboration presentation (You can make plans with a team in advance as requested in the presentation). Teams might prepare to help each other by covering weaknesses (i.e. a team might plan to carry additional cameras to support the group's rover with poor vision). However, you can also collaborate with other teams whenever necessary during the competition.
Early or late whichever application you choose, the deadline for the video report is the same date for the deadline of late application.
It is sufficient to follow the communication protocol details in ARC Manual v.3. The RSC-CM module will not change between tasks.
The RSC-CM module will be given to the teams before the mission. Teams are encouraged to test beforehand by a mock-up connection the choose.
Yes, ARC is only open to teams with university affiliation.
You can find information about application fees on ARC Manual v.3 Section 2.5. Challenge Fee.
You can find Application Deadlines on ARC Manual v.3 Section 2.3 Calendar.
A wireless network will not be provided by our competition. You can use it by setting up your own local WiFi network.
Microphones on the rover are allowed.
Only specified team members can enter the challenge area, and team members in bases are prohibited from communicating with people outside. You cannot communicate until the mission is over.
You should only create a calendar of the production process of the rover parts to be used on the rover. In other words, we are interested in the production process of your rover from thought to finish. There is no really ideal time duration for the Gantt Chart.
You can prepare a video presentation without the rover, but when evaluating your presentation, remember that the scoring will be done accordingly.
You can buy batteries from famous electronics stores online or on site. Search in English or in Turkish ("lipo pil fiyat" meaning "lipo battery price") and you will see many sellers online with all kinds of batteries. We recommend buying online as prices are lower. It takes online shipments about a week to deliver so be careful to buy on time.
Mars Base is a geodesic dome that can accomodate around 6-10 people. Dimensions of the Mars base in ARC'24 was 6m in diameter. Base sizes might vary each year's edition.
There will not be any lab facility provided. Only a bench for you to work on will be given inside the Mars base. To test your soil samples, depending on your approach to testing you will bring your equipment.
The marker sizes are stated in ARC Manual v.3 Section 8.14.
Mounting the camera on the antenna to view the field is not allowed.
When your application and payment is completed, you will receive a username and password as an e-mail