Turkey’s Space Spark: UKET & ARC

Turkey’s Space Exploration Society, UKET

UKET, or the Space Exploration Society (its English translation from Uzay Keşif Topluluğu), is a non-profit organization established in 2021. It was founded by individuals from various rover teams and space technology backgrounds throughout Turkey.

• UKET’s mission is to:

• Raise public awareness and provide education on cosmic exploration efforts in Turkey.
• Gather those keen on advancing space exploration and discovery.
• Efforts focus on developing collaborative spaces where scientists, technocrats, students, and those passionate about space can convene to jointly plan, carry out, and train for missions in space exploration.
• The organization aims to grow into a prominent and significant voice for space exploration within Turkey.

In addition to organizing the Anatolian Rover Challenge, UKET also participate in educational initiatives focused on space and engages with the field of space law.

• The relationship between UKET and the Anatolian Rover Challenge (ARC):

It is an international competition held mainly in Turkey, inviting university teams to design and operate robotic rovers. The event aims to gather rover enthusiasts globally and stands out for its unique, story-based missions that immerse participants in simulated lunar, Martian, and terrestrial landscapes.

UKET developed and operates the Anatolian Rover Challenge as a significant endeavor. This competition is instrumental in helping UKET fulfill its larger aspirations to cultivate interest in space exploration and robotics within Turkey and internationally.

UKET is the organization responsible for establishing and managing the Anatolian Rover Challenge (ARC).

• Anatolian Rover Challenge (ARC)

Humankind’s enduring fascination with exploring the vastness of space has spurred technological advancements and stretched the boundaries of engineering. A vital element of this pursuit is the creation and utilization of robotic rovers, which can navigate alien landscapes and execute intricate scientific and operational duties.

The Anatolian Rover Challenge (ARC) is a significant international robotics competition that directly tackles this requirement by tasking university teams with the design, construction, and operation of rovers in simulated space missions. Organized by the Space Exploration Society (UKET), ARC sets itself apart with its captivating story-based missions situated on the Moon, Mars, and Earth.

 This approach cultivates not only technical skill but also teamwork and intercultural interaction within the dynamic environment of Anatolia. Since its establishment in 2022 at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), ARC has gained increasing recognition, with later competitions taking place at the Middle East Technical University (METU) in 2023 and 2024, and the next event planned for METU in July 2025.

As an important part of the World Rover League (WRL), alongside the International Rover Design Challenge (IRDC) and the International Rover Challenge (IRC), ARC contributes to a worldwide network of rover development and acts as a crucial stepping stone for future space engineers. This report intends to offer a thorough examination of the Anatolian Rover Challenge, detailing its main characteristics, showcasing past accomplishments, outlining the upcoming 2025 competition, and discussing its wider importance and influence on education, technology, and global cooperation.

• Key features and Format of the Anatolian Rover Challenge:

The Anatolian Rover challenges provide a distinctive and captivating competition focused on lifelike space exploration situations. Several core elements shape its structure and goals:

• Narrative-Driven Missions: In contrast to competitions solely focused on specific tasks, ARC frames its challenges within absorbing narratives connected to space missions on the Moon, Mars, or even Earth. This method inspires teams to think deeply about mission goals and devise imaginative solutions that fit the broader storyline. For example, a mission could involve seeking signs of ancient life on Mars or setting up an initial living space on the Moon.

• Competition Tasks: To successfully achieve the goals of each mission, the rovers need to show competence in several intricate operations, which commonly involve:

Independent movement is a must for the rovers, as they need to travel between designated points and cross diverse landscapes without continuous human control. This tests their ability to integrate sensor data, plan routes, and execute control commands.

• Sample Acquisition and Analysis (Astrobiology/Science Mission): A frequently crucial task requires the rover to gather soil or other geological materials and then analyze them onboard to identify possible signs of life or determine the environment’s makeup.

• Maintenance/Servicing: Mirroring the necessity of robotic support for space installations, rovers might be required to handle tools, operate control interfaces (like joysticks, buttons, and switches), and carry out upkeep on simulated hardware.

• Object Manipulation and Delivery: The rovers need to show skill in grasping, moving, and setting down different items, like tools, scientific equipment, or parts for a habitat, in specific areas.

• Terrain Traversal: The competition pushes rovers to move across varied and frequently difficult landscapes, such as loose sand, stony ground, and slopes. This necessitates a strong chassis design, effective suspension systems, and suitable wheel or track mechanisms.

• Technical Constraints: To maintain impartiality and promote creative engineering within realistic boundaries, ARC sets technical restrictions on the rover designs. Although exact limits can change from year to year, typical examples include:

• Weight limit: Typically, around 50 kg to manage maneuverability and transportation.

• Size Constraints: Often restricted to a maximum footprint (e.g., 1.2m x 1.2m) to ensure the rover can fit within designated areas and potentially be deployed from a lander.

• Cost Limit: A cap on the total cost of the rover encourages teams to be resourceful and efficient in their design and component selection.

• Power and Propulsion: Systems must be suitable for extraterrestrial environments, prohibiting air-breathing engines. Airborne vehicles are generally not allowed.

• World Rover League (WRL):  As a significant part of the World Rover League, a worldwide ranking system for university rover teams, the Anatolian Rover Challenge plays a vital role. Involvement in ARC, alongside other WRL competitions such as the International Rover Design Challenge (IRDC) and the International Rover Challenge (IRC), enables teams to earn points based on how well they perform. This league encourages an ongoing process of competition and advancement among international teams.

• ARC Junior: Acknowledging the significance of motivating future innovators, ARC features a “junior” division. This category welcomes participants of any age and nationality, tasking them with designing and constructing smaller, tabletop rovers that can handle a range of interesting challenges. ARC Junior acts as an approachable introduction to the fields of robotics and space exploration.

• Previous Anatolian Rover Challenges: Past iterations of the Anatolian Rover Challenge have showcased notable accomplishments and a rising level of global involvement:

• Anatolia Rover Challenge 2022 (Istanbul Technical University):

The first ARC competition featured significant international presence, with teams presenting their initial rover designs and abilities. Project Scorpio from Poland notably won the event, displaying outstanding performance in all mission challenges. Project Kratos from India earned the second spot, and MIST Mongol Barota from Bangladesh achieved a praiseworthy third place, underscoring the increasing talent in space robotics from various parts of the world. This initial event established a solid base for the competition’s future growth.

• Anatolian Rover Challenge 2023 (Middle East Technical University): Expanding on the success of its debut year, ARC 2023, held at METU, saw even wider participation and more advanced rover designs. Although the provided search results don’t offer a full list of winners right now, significant accomplishments include the United International University (UIU) Mars Rover Team from Bangladesh earning 3rd place, and MIST Mongol Barota (also from Bangladesh) achieving 5th place. These outcomes highlight the growing level of competition and the impressive performance of teams from Bangladesh on the global stage.

• Anatolian Rover Challenge 2024 (Middle East Technical University): The latest ARC event, which took place in July 2024 at METU, maintained the pattern of intense competition and ingenuity. MIST Mongol Barota from Bangladesh showcased their ongoing excellence by achieving 2nd place. This accomplishment illustrates the persistent progress and commitment of teams involved in the World Rover League competitions. The increasing success of teams such as MIST Mongol Barota emphasizes the expanding global proficiency in space robotics.

• Anatolian Rover Challenge 2025 (Upcoming): Excitement is growing for the Anatolian Rover Challenge 2025, set to occur in July 2025 at the Middle East Technical University (METU). This forthcoming competition is expected to draw an even greater number of skilled university teams from across the world, keen to put their newest rover creations to the test in demanding new mission scenarios.

In the lead-up to ARC 2025, the International Rover Design Challenge (IRDC) holds significant importance. As a design-centric competition within the World Rover League, IRDC provides a platform for teams to showcase their proposed rover designs and gain constructive criticism. The design phase for IRDC 2025 is planned from March to May 2025. Involvement in IRDC offers valuable learning and can enhance a team’s overall standing in the WRL, ultimately leading to the practical challenges of ARC and IRC.

Teams considering participation in ARC 2025 should routinely check the official Anatolian Rover Challenge website for the latest rules, guidelines, registration processes, and mission specifics as they are released. This competition presents an exceptional chance for students to utilize their engineering skills, work together with international colleagues, and contribute to the progress of space robotics.

• Significance and Impact of the Anatolian Rover Challenge:

The Anatolian Rover Challenge is more than just a standard student contest; it provides substantial advantages and contributes to several key domains:

• Educational Value: ARC offers STEM university students, especially those in engineering, computer science, and geology, a unique opportunity to learn by doing. Through hands-on activities, participants develop valuable practical skills in areas like robotics design, manufacturing, software creation, project coordination, and collaboration. The program’s challenges are designed to reflect the actual engineering hurdles faced in space exploration, effectively preparing students for careers in the space sector and similar industries.

• Technological Innovation: ARC drives the advancement of cutting-edge robotics by challenging participants to go beyond conventional rover design and capabilities. Teams are pushed to be inventive in fields like self-driving navigation, complex robotic arm control, energy-efficient systems, and reliable movement across diverse landscapes. The creative solutions and technologies emerging from this competition hold promise for real-world uses in numerous sectors beyond just space.

• Public Engagement: The Anatolian Rover Challenge offers an exciting way to boost public understanding and enthusiasm for space exploration and robotics. By highlighting the creativity and commitment of student teams, ARC has the power to encourage younger people to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while also building a deeper respect for scientific and technological progress.

• Contribution to the Space Industry: Even though the rovers operate in simulated scenarios, the core technologies and engineering concepts cultivated in ARC hold promise for contributing to actual space missions. The inventive approaches to independent navigation, analyzing samples, and controlling systems from a distance could be modified and improved for upcoming missions to the Moon and other planets. This competition acts as a vital training environment for future space engineers and scientists.

• Conclusion:

The Anatolian Rover Challenge has quickly become a prominent and influential global robotics competition. Its distinctive story-based missions, demanding challenges, and focus on teamwork offer a remarkably valuable learning opportunity for university students across the globe. The accomplishments of teams from diverse countries, notably the ongoing success of participants from Bangladesh, underscore the increasing international expertise in space robotics. As ARC anticipates its 2025 event, it remains a critical venue for encouraging technological advancement, fostering international partnerships, and motivating future leaders in space exploration. The commitment of the organizing body, UKET, and the passion of the participating teams guarantee that the Anatolian Rover Challenge will maintain its essential role in the progress of space robotics and the wider space sector for many years ahead.