REGISTRATION for International Roverchallenge at 10.08.2025

For girls and boys, ages 10-16

The International Space Education Institute (ISEI) was founded in October 2005, after a five-year preparatory phase, by the now married couple Yvonne and Ralf Heckel and friends, on the recommendation of German-American NASA scientist Prof. Dr. Jesco von Puttkamer in his hometown of Leipzig. From the very beginning, international goals and the building of bridges between international youth were pursued parallel to the construction of the International Space Station (ISS) and the establishment of private space travel.

Today, the association enjoys a unique international reputation, based on many pioneering achievements for young people. Former students now reach the top of their professions, often leading to their dream careers and beyond. Space scientists, engineers, managers, entrepreneurs, teachers, and even a prospective astronaut are now members of the Almunias. They all enrich our society and the planet with their positive ways of thinking and acting.

We will compile these 20 years into several books, including over 3,000 testimonies from students who were handed a silver platter during the ISS construction phase, far beyond the lines of international space travel. This also includes those who broke with patriarchal traditions in their countries and shaped the future as part of a multinational team. Above all, we will showcase the people behind them, who, then as now, accomplished what seemed impossible with courage and perseverance. Over 400,000 photos and numerous previously unpublished videos will show the future how every person can achieve an ambitious goal and thereby make the world a better place.

"You have made an amazing and positive contribution towards the creation of a truly international space community. The governments of the USA and USSR utilized global space enthusiasm for space exploration only as a component of their strategic international outreach plans. You’re great works are motivated by your personal desire to uplift and educate young people and their families by introducing them the to very valuable experiences that they might not ever have had without your presence in this world."

Jim McCade, University of Alabama Birmingham

Our anniversary program
(also as PDF-download)

monday, 4.8.2025 + 7 days Workshop

10:00 a.m. Arrival of the invited teams for the challenge
Departure: Sunday, August 10, 2025, from 4:00 p.m.
Accommodation, briefing, training, inspection/tuning of the rovers, preparation of the presentations, preparation over 7 days including the festival program, meals, and overnight accommodation

friday, 8.8.2025

4:00 PM Arrival for guests, former team members, supporting members, and VIPs
Space Hotel, Wurzner Str. 4, 04315 Leipzig
Invited guests stay free of charge. Interested parties should book via: www-Space-Hotel.de, code: Thankyou
From 6:00 PM, gathering in the rocket garden with barbecue and discussions

saturday, 9.8.2025

9:00 a.m. Breakfast in the Rocket Garden
10:00 a.m. Tour
11:00 a.m. Introduction of the teams and current projects, short presentations

1:00 p.m. Lunch
2:00 p.m. 20 Years of ISEI – Around the Globe for the Future by Ralf Heckel
3:00 p.m. Guest lecture by an alumni team member
4:00 p.m. Coffee and Cake
4:30 p.m. Review of the NASA Rover Challenge 2023-2024 by Cosma Heckel
5:15 p.m. Micromobility – Enthusiasm – The Future by Hannes Neupert
5:30 p.m. Future Challenge / International Rover Challenge Multi-Speaker
"From the North Cape to Naples – from Nicaragua to New Zealand"
Q&A
followed by the 2025 Award Ceremony
and accreditation ceremony for the jury members

7:00 p.m. Barbecue and individual discussions

 

sunday, 10.8.2025
program International Roverchallenge (Webseite, PDF-download)

10:00 a.m. Start of Minibuggy 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 Awards ceremony
Interviews, repairs/recruiting talks

3:10 p.m. final race (4:00 p.m. at the latest)
followed by the end and dismantling. Expected crowd: approximately 3,000 spectators

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

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International Rover Challenge India Cup (Part 5)
(Autumn, Amity University, Noida, India)

Advertising poster for the JvP Cup in India, October 2017, graphic design by Navdeep Singh

In collaboration with TecMantra Labs, World Space Council, ISRO, NNE

Duration:
3 days in October 2025

Locations:
- Ludhiana (Forest Factory of NNE)
- Chandigarh (Indo Swiss Training Center, ISTC)
- Delhi/Noida (Amity University Noida)

Program:
Similar to the JvP Cup 2017
Special guest: Winner of the Kick-Off Event Germany

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40th Space Days in Neubrandenburg (Conference, Part 6)

ISEI Lectures:
20 Years of Promoting Young Scientists - with Students in the Front Row (Ralf Heckel)
Effects of the Female Organism in Weightlessness, Cosma Heckel
Next Mission to Venus - Firine Bugenhagen, Master's Student at TU Delft

3-Day Program from November 7-9, 2025

Invited ISEI guests, members, alumni, students, and sponsors will receive a special conference rate including accommodation and meals.
Registration:  https://raumfahrt-concret.de/

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Greetings for the 20th anniversary: