European Rover Challenge

Strona główna
Polska
Kraków
European Rover Challenge

12th edition of an international robotics competition held on a volcanic Marsyard 🚀 4–6 September 2026

12th edition of an international robotics competition held on a volcanic Marsyard 🚀 4–6 September 2026

The ERC is a prestigious international space and robotics event that combines a world-renowned Martian rover competition, a space industry conference, and a STEM exhibit. The ERC is a thrilling spectacle that showcases the best of the best in planetary exploration. With tasks designed to replicate the challenges faced by real-life rovers on Mars and the Moon, it’s a chance for the new generation of engineers to demonstrate their skills and creativity on a global stage under the watchful eye of leading industry experts and space agencies’ deputies (such as NASA, ESA, EUSPA, DLR, CNES and POLSA) who, at the invitation of the organizers, visit the event and share their knowledge and experience.

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The ERC's main organizer is the European Space Foundation – an award-winning organization that supports initiatives prioritizing the future of the new generation, based on STEAM sciences and space technologies. In addition to the European Rover Challenge, the Foundation's team is involved in conducting workshops and educational actions in Polish schools (e.g. Mars Colony Hackathon, "How do we know that the climate is changing?"). In 2023, the Foundation was the only European entity listed as a winner of the prestigious Global E-STEM Award from Pratt & Whitney and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).

02/10/2026

🌍 The International Astronautical Congress (IAC2026Antalya) will take place in Türkiye in just a few days, bringing together representatives of the global space sector – from agencies and institutions to companies, startups and academia.

Europejska Fundacja Kosmiczna, organizer of the European Rover Challenge, will also be there. For us, IAC is an opportunity to meet partners from around the world and discuss the future of international cooperation in space and technology.

📍 Are you heading to Antalya too? Visit the IAC 2027 booth! ➡️ 1B-04 | Hall 1

Our presence in Antalya is particularly important as IAC 2026 will officially mark the beginning of the countdown to IAC2027Poland taking place next year in Poznań.

Next year, the capital of Greater Poland will become a meeting point for the international space community and an opportunity to showcase the potential of the CEE region's space sector, technologies, and young talent. IAC 2027 also has a special connection with ERC, having supported this year’s edition as an Honorary Patron. 🚀

📌 Antalya, Türkiye | October 5 – 9, 2026

09/09/2026

Although has come to an end, the excitement is still here… 🚀
We’d love to say THANK YOU to all Partners that have helped us make it happen! 💫
The organizer Europejska Fundacja Kosmiczna
Co-organizer Akademia Górniczo-Hutnicza w Krakowie
Host Region Innowacyjna Małopolska Małopolska
Host City Kraków PL Biznes i Nauka w Krakowie
Gold Sponsor ORLEN ORLEN Art & Science
Partners Polish Space Professionals Association Mars Society Polska MathWorks DPS Software - Oprogramowanie Wdrożenia Szkolenia Sprzęt Małopolska Agencja Rozwoju Regionalnego S.A. Honda Research Institute Europe Business in Małopolska
Honorary Patrons International Astronautical Federation IAC 2027 Poland
And last but not least:
Supporting Partner Good Lood 👏

⭐️ You’re all awesome! ⭐️

08/09/2026

🚀 Małopolska — a region reaching for the stars!

The European Rover Challenge once again brought together the brightest minds in space exploration, and this year, Małopolska Region had plenty of reasons to celebrate.

🥈 AGH Space Systems, a team from AGH University of Krakow, represented Małopolska with an outstanding performance, taking 2nd place in the competition. Their success is a great example of the talent, ambition and innovative spirit growing in the region.

But ERC was also an opportunity to look beyond the competition and discuss the future of the space sector in Małopolska.

On the first day of ERC, the panel “Kraków the Next Space City?” brought together representatives of the Marshal’s Office of the Małopolska Region, the City of Kraków, AGH University of Krakow, as well as regional and national space companies. The discussion highlighted the significant growth of the space sector in Kraków and Małopolska in recent years, as well as the importance of continuing joint efforts by academia, business and public administration to further develop and support the sector across the region. 🌍🚀

Innovation is at the heart of Małopolska’s development strategy. This was also reflected during the ERC Award Ceremony, where a special distinction — the Małopolska Innovation Champion Award — was presented by Mr Rafał Kosowski and Mr Andrzej Bańka of the Department of Ownership Supervision and Economy of the Marshal’s Office of the Małopolska Region, for an exceptionally innovative solution: the scientific application of ground radar.

🏆 The award went to STAR Dresden e.V. from Germany for demonstrating how innovative technologies can open new possibilities for planetary exploration.

From talented students and ambitious teams to universities, companies and public institutions, Małopolska is building a strong ecosystem for space and innovation.
And the journey has only just begun. 🌌

Innowacyjna Małopolska Business in Małopolska

innowacyjnamalopolska.pl
businessinmalopolska.pl

06/09/2026

Congratulations on your 1st place, EPFL Xplore! 🏆
You did amazing job! 🚀

06/09/2026

…And the WINNER is… 🏆🚀
We finally know the results of the 🌏
🥇 1st place – EPFL XPLORE from Switzerland
🥈 2nd place – AGH SPACE SYSTEMS from Poland
🥉 3rd place – DIANA from Italy

🌟 BEST PERFORMANCE:
Science – Scientific Exploration: DJS ANTARIKSH from India
Science – Sampling: DIANA from Italy
Science – Astro-Bio: BRNO MARS ROVER from Czech Republic
Navigation – Traverse: CRATER from Switzerland
Navigation – Droning: EPFL XPLORE from Switzerland
Maintenance: DIANA from Italy
Probing: ARES PROJECT from Japan
Presentation: ARES PROJECT from Japan

CREATIVITY by Research Institute:
🥇 1st place – FHNW ROVER from Switzerland
🥈 2nd place – EPFL XPLORE from Switzerland
🥉 3rd place – AGH SPACE SYSTEMS from Poland

INNOVATION by Innowacyjna Małopolska (Business in Małopolska Małopolska):
🎖️STAR DRESDEN from Germany

Congratulations, teams! AWESOME JOB! 👏
ESA - European Space Agency Mars Society Polska Polish Space Professionals Association POLSA Polska Agencja Kosmiczna Polish Space Agency Akademia Górniczo-Hutnicza w Krakowie Gold Sponsor ORLEN ORLEN Art & Science DPS Software - Oprogramowanie Wdrożenia Szkolenia Sprzęt Good Lood Małopolska Agencja Rozwoju Regionalnego S. A. MARR
📸: Michał Przemyski

06/09/2026

Find out who won the

06/09/2026

The slowly comes to an end 🥹🚀 Today at 5.00PM CEST you'll have a chance to tune in and enjoy the livestream of the closing ceremony on our page and on our YouTube channel! 📺

06/09/2026

The FINAL is almost here! 🚀

Let's start the 3rd day of 😎 Later this afternoon we'll know the winners of this year's competition. But before that, let's check out the agenda!

🤖 ROVERS will compete in last tasks until 12. Come and see them at MarsYard!

🎤 CONFERENCES:
11:00 – FIRESIDE CHAT WITH A SPECIAL GUEST: Paolo Ferri [Building D17, Hall C – 1.20]
11:25 – KEYNOTE: New Space and commercialisation [Building D17, Hall C – 1.20]
12:15 – DISCUSSION PANEL: What next in exploration? Directions for the coming decade [Building D17, Hall C – 1.20]
13:00 – PRESENTATION: Winning European tenders: EDF, ESA and EU funding for space [D17, Hall C – 1.20]
13:20 – WHO FINANCES THE FUTURE? Business, Science, and the New Space Economy [Building D17, Hall C – 1.20]

🔭 STEM EXHIBIT. Come and checz all the scientific workshops the exhibitors prepared 🧪

See you!

05/09/2026

...and the Day 2. came to the end 💫
It was such an intense, challenging and fun Saturday – thank you all for being a part of it!

See you tomorrow! Take a rest, the great day is on its way 😎🚀

05/09/2026

Day 2. has started! 🚀
And a lot will happen today. What's in the agenda?

🦾 Rovers are taking part in another tasks: MAINTENANCE, NAVIGATION, SAMPLING, DRONING, ASTRO-BIO and PRESENTATION 🔥Good luck, teams!

🎤 CONFERENCES:
10:40 – PRESENTATION – EU Space Act – the new reality [Building D17, Hall C – 1.20]
11:00 – KEYNOTE — Return to the Moon [Building D17, Hall C – 1.20]
11:30 – DISCUSSION PANEL — Lunar exploration & robotics [Building D17, Hall C – 1.20]
12:30 – PRESENTATION — Launch your career with the European Space Agency
[Building D17, Hall C – 1.20]
12:50 – PRESENTATION — The Karman Project [Building D17, Hall C – 1.20]
14:15 – DISCUSSION PANEL — Space for society: capacity-building, applications & the global community [Building D17, Hall C – 1.20]
15:00 – PRESENTATION — AI-Augmented Engineering: Collaboration, Knowledge and Creativity [Building D17, Hall C – 1.20]
15:20 – PRESENTATION — Being visible in the space industry: navigating as a startup [Building D17, Hall C – 1.20]

🔭 STEM EXHIBIT. Visit and gain new knowledge! 😎
You can also take a rest at the Chill Zone and taste Martian ice-cream at GoodLood! 🍦

See you today!

Adres

Władysława Reymonta 19
Kraków
33-332

Strona internetowa

https://roverchallenge.eu/

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