PAU Engineering Students Make History with the Trailblazer’ Mars Rover Prototype
A talented Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) team has developed Nigeria’s first-ever Mars rover prototype, Trailblazer. This innovative project highlights PAU’s students’ remarkable creativity, skill, and determination, marking a significant milestone for the university and the country’s space ambitions.
The “Trailblazer” project recently earned the team second place at the prestigious African Rover Challenge, where they competed against top engineering talent across the continent. Their performance secured them a ZAR 2,000 (USD 113.9) cash prize and solidified their status as emerging leaders in space technology. Looking ahead, the team is preparing for their next mission in South Africa, where they will continue pushing the boundaries of space exploration and further refining their design to explore the possibilities of Mars.
The African Rover Challenge
The African Rover Challenge participants are tasked with designing and building a small, mobile Mars rover prototype. The prototype doesn’t need to be space-ready or capable of operating in Mars conditions. However, the prototype must be wirelessly controlled with its independent power source. The project consists of two stages: the launch stage and the Mars stage. The Launch Stage, held online, requires students to design, build, and present their rover prototypes, showcasing their project strategy, design, capabilities, and knowledge of Mars geology and astrobiology. In addition, teams will meet in person with their rovers and navigate a specially prepared obstacle course for the Mars stage. They will also complete tasks that simulate real-life scenarios for future Mars rovers.