Mars Rover Design Team
Pushing the Boundaries of Mars Exploration since 2012.
In June 2025, the Mars Rover Design Team at Missouri S&T earned first place overall at the University Rover Challenge, the world’s premier competition for Mars exploration robotics. Competing at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, Talos outperformed 37 international finalists with precision, speed, and innovation.
About Us
We are the Missouri S&T Mars Rover Design Team, a dedicated group of students who design, build, and compete with advanced Mars Rovers in the international University Rover Challenge (URC). Our mission is to push the boundaries of engineering and science through hands-on experience, innovation, and teamwork, while inspiring the next generation of explorers.
Key Stats:
- 2025 URC World Champions
- 4th Place in 2024 out of 102 teams and 38 finalists
- 2017 URC World Champions
- 13 Rovers Built
- 13 Years Competing
Our team is driven by a passion for space exploration and a commitment to excellence. We bring together students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate, innovate, and compete on a global stage.
Latest News & Updates
Stay up-to-date with the latest activities from the Mars Rover Design Team.
-
World Champions Once Again: MRDT Wins URC 2025
We’re thrilled to announce that the Missouri S&T Mars Rover Design Team has placed 1st overall at the 2025 University Rover Challenge (URC) — reclaiming our title as world champions! Out of 114 teams from 15 countries, only 38 finalists were selected to compete at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah. After four days…
-
Placing 4th at URC 2024
We are thrilled to announce that our team placed 4th out of 102 teams and 38 finalists at the 2024 University Rover Challenge. This accomplishment reflects the hard work, innovation, and dedication of every team member. Scores…
-
Rover Reveal 2024
Introducing Hyperion, our 2024 competition rover! With cutting-edge features and a systems all around, Hyperion represents the next step in our journey to push the boundaries of space exploration….
-
System Acceptance Review (SAR)
Our 2024 rover, Hyperion, successfully passed the SAR, marking a key milestone on our road to URC. This rigorous testing phase ensures our rover is ready for the challenges ahead….
Our Rovers
Explore the innovation and technology behind our Mars rovers.
-
Talos
Overview Talos marks a new pinnacle in the Mars Rover Design Team’s legacy — the world champion rover of the 2025 University Rover Challenge. With a seamless integration of robust mechanical systems, cutting-edge scientific instrumentation, and fully autonomous capabilities, Talos led the field with a commanding first place finish. Building on years of innovation and…
-
Hyperion
Overview Hyperion represented a significant leap forward in our team’s pursuit of excellence in Mars Rover technology. Equipped with cutting-edge scientific instruments, a newly designed Cartesian robotic arm, and advanced autonomous systems, Hyperion secured 4th place at the 2024 University Rover Challenge (URC). The rover’s ability to perform complex tasks and operate in challenging environments…
-
Helios
Overview Helios was designed with a simplified drivetrain that saw the removal of gas springs from our Mantis platform. We improved on our 6-axis robotic arm design and built an on-board science system that featured both chemical tests and a custom fluorometer. Helios placed 6th at URC with our main loss of points caused by…
Our Impact
We don’t just build rovers—we build the future.
Through our education and outreach initiatives, we inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists. From interactive workshops to large-scale events like Space Week, we engage with students and communities, igniting their passion for space exploration and STEM.
Space Week
Space Week is one of our largest outreach events, where we introduce students of all ages to the wonders of space and robotics. From rover demos to hands-on activities, Space Week is an opportunity for us to share our love for space exploration.
Learn More About Space Week →
Join Us on Our Journey
Join us as we push the boundaries of space exploration. Whether you’re interested in becoming part of our team, sponsoring our work, or following our progress, you’re helping shape the future of Mars Rovers.
- Join Now: Join our team and contribute to building the next generation of Mars Rovers.
- Sponsor Us: Support our mission by sponsoring our team and helping us achieve our goals.
- Follow Our Progress
- Instagram: @missourimrdt
- Facebook: Missouri S&T Mars Rover Design Team
- YouTube: Missouri S&T Mars Rover Design Team