The Mars Society of India at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay , is among the thirty-six chosen globally for the international university rover challenge organized by Colorado-based Mars Society, a space advocacy organization dedicated to the human exploration and settlement of the planet Mars. The contest will be conducted from May 31, to June 2, 2018, in Utah at the Mars Desert Research Station, Hanksville.
The IIT Bombay Mars Rover project is a student initiative to build a prototype Mars rover capable of extra-terrestrial robotics. “The current iteration of the rover has a double wishbone-based suspension system modified to fit our specifications. It rests on four toughened rubber balloon wheels, which provide a grip on sandy and slippery surfaces and suspension from shock,” says a description of the rover on the university website.
Four other university teams from India will also take part in the competition: one each from Manipal, in Karnataka, Vellore, in Tamil Nadu, SRM, also in Tamil Nadu, and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
