The European Rover Challenge (ERC), held annually in Poland since 2014, is a premier robotics competition aimed at fostering innovation and passion for space exploration. Supported by organizations such as the European Space Agency (ESA), ERC challenges university teams from across the globe to design and operate Mars rovers in a simulated Martian environment. Participants showcase their engineering and problem-solving abilities through tasks like navigating rugged terrains and collecting soil samples. As Europe’s largest robotics and space event, ERC has drawn over 2,500 participants from six continents, becoming a global platform for education, collaboration, and networking in the space industry. It not only advances technological innovation but also inspires the next generation of space leaders.
In alignment with its mission to nurture interest and workforce readiness in the burgeoning new space sector, Antarexxa Space Global, a leading space advocacy and education firm in Indonesia, is committed to empowering local talents through comprehensive outreach, education, mentoring, and awareness initiatives. Recognizing the untapped potential of Indonesian talents, Antarexxa is championing the first Indonesian National Rover Team to compete at ERC 2025 on August 29-31 in Krakow, Poland. This initiative aims to introduce and expose Indonesian students and young professionals to the international space robotics community, fostering peer-to-peer learning, knowledge exchange, and engagement with some of the world’s leading experts in planetary rovers.
Participants will connect with like-minded talents, expand their global networks, and acquire valuable skills and insights to contribute to the local and global space industry. This initiative offers participants a unique opportunity to develop both hard and soft skills, particularly in teamwork and collaboration, as they tackle a challenging endeavor never before undertaken in Indonesia. The experience will create unforgettable memories and provide valuable life lessons and knowledge that can be applied across any STEM career they pursue in the future.