Question 1

Collaboration Mission Detailed Information

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

Technical Collaboration Presentation Detailed Information

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Aruco Tag Placement?

Question 4

How to upload science report?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

Is the roofed section of the lava tube continuous?

Accepted Answer

The roofed section of the lava tube is continuous.

Question 6

Is the lava tube shaped like a perfect circle arc?

Accepted Answer

The exact shape of the lava tube will not be disclosed. Teams should be prepared for any shape and design their exit algorithms accordingly.

Question 7

Is the "suitable height" for the antenna based on elevation alone, or are there secondary criteria (e.g., stability)?

Accepted Answer

Placing the antenna at the peak area within the antenna zone will be sufficient.

Question 8

Could there be multiple local maxima within the antenna zone, or is it a single distinct hill that the rover is expected to be looking for?

Accepted Answer

There is a single distinct hill that the rover is expected to search for within the antenna zone.

Question 9

What is the maximum slope angle the rover might encounter, and are there unidirectional slopes?

Accepted Answer

While the maximum slope angle will not be disclosed, the rovers may expect at least 30 degrees of slopes.

Question 10

What is the height of the highest point on the hills?

Accepted Answer

The height will not be disclosed.

Question 11

Will there be real ice in the Icy Crater?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

Firstly, when will the Science Report Template be available on the website?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

Do we have to use a drill to get a 5 cm sample?

Accepted Answer

Yes, teams are required to use drilling as the sampling method.

Question 14

What are the types of tests that you want us to do on the rover?

Accepted Answer

Whatever you select to test your hypothesis appropriately.

Question 15

Do we use a Power Point in the presentation?

Accepted Answer

Yes, please use the template that provided in the ARC’25 website.

Question 16

Do you want rover to move on the ice?

Accepted Answer

No, the rover is not required to move on ice. It is required to detect the coldest area in the Icy Crater area.

Question 17

What does ‘suitable height’ that in the ‘Find the peak of the antenna area’ mean?

Accepted Answer

Suitable height stands for the vicinity of the peak of the antenna area.

Question 18

Infrastructure and antenna tasks are done by only one rover?

Accepted Answer

The number of rovers required is specified in ARC Manual v.3.

Question 19

How will you score the Infrastructure and antenna tasks when we do them together?

Accepted Answer

When a mission step is completed successfully, all teams in the group will receive full points.

Question 20

How will the distribution of tasks between the 3 rovers in the group be determined?

Accepted Answer

The teams in the groups are expected to plan their approach together on how to perform the mission step.

Question 21

Is there a situation that a rover in a group do Infrastructure and antenna tasks again in two hour?

Accepted Answer

Within mission time, each team can repeat the task they were unsuccessful in with any group they wish.

Question 22

There is a sentence that ‘Groups can be formed or dissolved dynamically by teams’ initiative for each step.’ in details. But at the same time, there is ‘This report should have the teams they will collaborate with as well as the details of this collaboration.’ in Technical Collaboration Report. Which one is correct?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 23

The rulebook (Section 2.3.1) mentions both an early and a late application deadline. Do these deadlines apply specifically to the submission of the video report?

Accepted Answer

Early or late whichever application you choose, the deadline for the video report is the same date for the deadline of late application.

Question 24

Regarding the RS-232 cable port combination (Rulebook Section 4.15), could you clarify whether it should be female-to-male for all missions? Additionally, what is the required cable length, and could you elaborate on the role of these cables in the competition like how they are used before every mission?

Accepted Answer

It is sufficient to follow the communication protocol details in ARC Manual v.3. The RSC-CM module will not change between tasks.

Question 25

Regarding the RSCP communications 7.1.3.3.1, can you clarify the nature of the RSC-CM module? Can this client module be any serial module that suits our needs, such as a Bluetooth module, or is there a specific type that must be built or purchased like a raspberry pi ? For mock-up purposes.

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 26

Should we participate in the competition with a team?

Accepted Answer

Yes, ARC is only open to teams with university affiliation.

Question 27

What is the application fee?

Accepted Answer

You can find information about application fees on ARC Manual v.3 Section 2.5. Challenge Fee.

Question 28

What is the application deadline?

Accepted Answer

You can find Application Deadlines on ARC Manual v.3 Section 2.3 Calendar.

Question 29

Will a wifi network be provided during the competition or will we be allowed to set up a local wifi network?

Accepted Answer

A wireless network will not be provided by our competition. You can use it by setting up your own local WiFi network.

Question 30

Can we include a microphone on the rover?

Accepted Answer

Microphones on the rover are allowed.

Question 31

Can we communicate with people outside the ground station during the challenge?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 32

What is the ideal duration that is expected in the Gantt Chart? Should it be a quarter year-long chart?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 33

Our rover is not ready for a video presentation. If we prepare a video presentation without the rover, will it be accepted?

Accepted Answer

You can prepare a video presentation without the rover, but when evaluating your presentation, remember that the scoring will be done accordingly.

Question 34

Can you tell me where to buy Lipo Batteries in Istanbul?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 35

Can you let me know the scale of the Mars Base given in the rulebook?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 36

What are the lab facilities that will be provided for testing soil samples? Which equipment is supposed to be supplied by the teams themselves?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 37

Are all of the aruco markers in all tasks going to have the same size?

Accepted Answer

The marker sizes are stated in ARC Manual v.3 Section 8.14.

Question 38

Can we mount the camera on the antenna?

Accepted Answer

Mounting the camera on the antenna to view the field is not allowed.

Question 39

How did you get this part, I couldn't find this upload page.

Accepted Answer

When your application and payment is completed, you will receive a username and password as an e-mail

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