Kick_Off_Event_und_Kindernachtrennen_2025

Sunday, August 10, 2025 (times from the race start at 11 a.m. are approximate)
Leipzig, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Old Exhibition Grounds, in conjunction with the Children's Night Race

This race is a joint event with the Leipzig Children's Night Race
Registration Children´s Night Race (girls and boys, age 2-10)
Registration for International Roverchallenge at 10.08.2025 for girls and boys, age 10-16

10:00 h Eröffnung der Stände, Startnummerausgabe
10.55 h offizielle Eröffnung durch den Veranstalter des Kindernachtrennens

11:00 a.m. Race 1, born in 2022, balance bike, 1 lap, 3 runs, Kuchenmeister
11:30 a.m. Race 2, born in 2021, balance bike, 1 lap, 2 runs, LRP-Auto Recycling
12:00 p.m. Race 3, born in 2021, bicycle, 1 lap, 3 runs, Frank Fzb/Cineplex
12:30 p.m. Race 4, born in 2020, bicycle, 2 laps, 4 runs, Veolia GmbH
12:40 p.m. Race 5, born in 2019, bicycle, 2 laps, 4 runs, HIT-Markt

approx. 13:00 h Rover Challenge 2014-2000, Rover, 1 round, 8 obstacles, 1 task, 5 runs

1:30 p.m. Race 6, born in 2018, bicycle, 2 laps, 3 runs, Zweirad Stadler
1:50 p.m. Race 7, born in 2017, bicycle, 3 laps, 3 runs, Konsum Leipzig
2:10 p.m. Race 8, born in 2016, bicycle, 3 laps, 3 runs, Sparkasse Leipzig
2:30 p.m. Race 9, born in 2015, bicycle, 4 laps, 2 runs, IKK-Classik
2:50 p.m. Race 10, born in 2014, bicycle, 4 laps, 2 runs, Höffner
3:10 p.m. Last race (4:00 p.m. at the latest)
Afterwards, the race ends and dismantling. Expected crowd: approximately 3,000 spectators

program at Pit & Race of Roverchallenge
10:00 a.m. Start of mini buggy construction for visiting children, crafting area
Pit area completed with all 5 Rovers
11:00 a.m. Welcome of VIP guests and sponsors in the VIP tent
11:30 a.m. Interviews with sponsors and VIPs
12:00 p.m. Inspection and interviews with Teams 1-5
12:45 p.m. Pre-start Teams 1-5

1:00 p.m. Start of Team 1 "Ganymed" Jesco / Lea HOLL GmbH
1:06 p.m. Start of Team 2 "Warrior" Michi/Leo / Shuyi Bosch Scheil
1:12 p.m. Start of Team 3 "Calypso" (Firine / Frederik) Dreherei Jakob
1:18 p.m. Start of Team 4 "Lunochod" (India Team) Doerffer GmbH
1:24 p.m. Start of Team 5 "Ophelia" Cosma / Leander 1st Mould GmbH
1:30 p.m. Final finish line Award ceremony
Interviews, repairs, and recruiting meetings

Download: Map Ovview-Race-Course-Obstacle Course-Pit Area

Description:
The International Rover Challenge, a competition for young scientists, combines sustainable micromobility on our planet with the excitement of international space travel. It offers young scientists aged 10-25 the experience of teamwork, creativity, and practical experience in exchange with like-minded people around the world.

Emerging from the initiators of the NASA Rover Challenge's participation of international teams (Prof. Dr. Jesco von Puttkamer, Ralf Heckel, and the International Space Education Institute) and their successful teams and subsequent teams over the past 18 years, the International Rover Challenge is, for the first time, accessible to all teams worldwide, without the restriction of a single national authority.

Space exploration and colonization is the future and is currently motivating an entire world. It is also changing the way nations view themselves, toward community. In addition, a completely new, environmentally friendly trend is taking hold on our planet with sustainable electrification and standardization for micromobility. Bicycles are being equipped with motors, controllers, and multiple wheels.

The International Rover Challenge not only offers the opportunity to build and test a folding lunar or Mars rover-like vehicle for off-road use, but also practical use on the road as a sports car, cargo bike, or electrically powered micromobile. It offers a balance of health, sport, science, and technology, while also providing practical language and ethics training.

The challenge is structured around state, national, and continental competitions, with the best teams being delegated to other teams. The World Championship then takes place alternately in one of the host countries. National space agencies and industries in need of excellent human resources support the project.

At the pinnacle of the competition is the Future Challenge, where the young multinational designers compete against factory teams from industry. The goal is to demonstrate the ability to drive 1,000 low-energy kilometers within a specific time frame using only solar and human power.

The International Rover Challenge is not a NASA Rover Challenge event, but is open to collaboration and the delegation of winning teams.

The International Rover Challenge will begin in 2026 after two test runs in Germany and India. Local organizers and ISEI educational partners are welcome to register as host locations if interested. Current host locations are Leipzig and Friedrichshafen (GER), Riva (ITA), Ludhiana, Chandigarh, and Noida (IND). Other host locations in the planning stages are Starbase, Rio de Janeiro, Cuernavaca, Queretaro, Santo Domingo, and Nairobi.
www.internationalroverchallenge.com

Rules for the Roverchallenge

Requirements:
1. The rovers must be designed, built, and driven by the same students.
2. Dimensions: 38 cm body clearance from the ground, 3 m turning radius, 30° stable bank angle
3. Folded dimensions: 1.25 x 1.25 x 1.25 m
4. At least two brakes, safety belt, steering with safety components, fenders
5. Two pilots: girl/girl, girl/boy, or boy/girl
6. Helmet, gloves, at least full-coverage cycling clothing, sturdy shoes
7. The rover must be complete after the race.
8. E-bike motors are permitted for ages 16 and up, up to 250W, Torx sensor, 25 km/h max.
9. The rover must have three or more wheels and two seats.
10. Unstable rovers are not permitted. Sharp edges must be protected.

Inspection:
- Fold into a 1.30 m cube
- Weigh (informative)
- Carry by the pilots for a distance of 6 meters
- Unfold and make ready for use after timing (added during the race)
- Safety check, engine performance measurement

Race & Rules:

- Each team has only one attempt at the test event (later two) and must leave the course after 8 minutes, either at the finish or in the rescue capsule (O2 reserve).
- 400-meter speed course with three 90° turns, asphalt surface
- 100-meter obstacle course with eight obstacles + one task, gravel surface
(18-meter ramp, 180° turn, crater, gravel, sand, slope, grooves, soil sample, slalom)
- Finish time under 6 minutes (1-minute credit)
- Finish time over 8 minutes (1-minute penalty)
- Touching the ground with body parts (1-minute penalty)
- Missing obstacles, incomplete finish (1-minute penalty)
- Submitting a soil sample (1-minute credit)
- The unfolding time is added to the race time, and the credits/penalties are included.
- Teams that do not reach the target but do reach an escape pod will receive a 5-minute penalty.
- Teams that do not reach the target or the escape pod will receive a 10-minute penalty.
- Teams that do not compete will receive a 1-hour penalty.

 
Categories:

- Muscle-powered (excluding electric drive)
- Electric chain-assisted
- Electric chain-assisted (serial hybrid)

Age groups:
Junior 10-14 Senior14-19 Professional 19-25

Awards:

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prizes (podium prizes based on best time, including credit and penalties)
Innovation Award (for the best design idea)
Environment Award (for sustainable energy supply)
Best Design Award (for the most beautiful design)
Telemetry Award (for successful onboard data transmission and analysis)
Inclusion Award (for the smartest idea for adjusting seats to different body sizes or having team members with disabilities)
Putting Chamber Award (for the largest successfully collected soil sample, weight)

The Jury:
The jury includes the organizers and invited expert judges from the aerospace/science and mobility sectors, as well as experienced pilots from ISEI teams with podium finishes (2007-2019), as well as dedicated partners, supporters, and sponsors of the Challenge. The jury members are currently being appointed. Their names will be announced the evening before the Challenge during the accreditation ceremony. The jury ensures compliance with the requirements and rules, accepts complaints in the event of proven measurement errors (video evidence), and ensures fairness and transparency.

The volunteers:
Volunteers ensure the smooth running of the event on the day. They can apply in advance; they must be at least 18 years old and in good health. We primarily invite people with physical disabilities to serve as judges. They compile the timesheets, credits, and penalties simultaneously. All volunteers receive accommodation, meals, and a certificate if needed. Two afternoons of briefing beforehand are required, as well as participation on the competition days.

Background:
In the club's 20 years of history, bridges for young people across national borders have been built at a breathtaking pace. Led by Prof. Dr. von Puttkamer as ISS Director and the friendship with the Korolyov family (Sputnik designers), all the doors of space travel quickly opened for our international students on an unprecedented scale. Teamwork, integrity, excellence, and a sense of proportion led to impressive results from our competition teams. Inspired by this creative spirit, everyone is now leading their dream careers and beyond. The 2010s were extremely successful and multinational. India, Latin America, South America, and Africa were fully integrated as emerging regions. Our work has no historical precedent.

It was only the political regression and the pandemic that thwarted our further expansion since 2020. Fear of travel, reluctance, patriotism, and war are leading to the degeneration of our work. International participation in the NASA Rover Challenge, which we pioneered and helped shape over 18 years as a powerful driver of multinational career development, has since 2017 been reverting to a national competition due to its regulatory focus under the new administration. Limits have been imposed, rules have been negatively altered, and evaluation results have become opaque. International teams are now disadvantaged and merely a decorative existence.

We, together with our international partners, have therefore set ourselves the task of establishing a truly independent and international competition without limits and, in addition to fostering enthusiasm for space travel, making it accessible to wider industry and the education system as a driver of innovation and talent.

We continue to prepare our young people for the future with technology and practical experience, but now with even greater vigilance and responsibility for coexistence and the environment.