ASTRA
Adaptable Service Transport and Research Apparatus
Adaptable Service Transport and Research Apparatus
ASTRA Rover "Clucky" at the University Rover Challenge
ASTRA competes annually in the University Rover Challenge (URC), an international competition held over three days in Hanksville, Utah. Teams are evaluated through four primary missions: Extreme Delivery, Equipment Servicing, Science, and Autonomy.
Each mission tests different aspects of rover design, requiring a multidisciplinary approach that integrates mechanical engineering, electrical systems, software, and scientific analysis.
The University Rover Challenge evaluates teams across Extreme Delivery, Equipment Servicing, Science, and Autonomy. These missions require ASTRA to develop a rover capable of completing a wide range of mechanical, electrical, software, and scientific tasks reflective of actual Mars surface operations.
The different University Rover Challenge missions require the ASTRA team to develop and integrate several specialized rover and support systems.
The rover's robotic arm executes tasks requiring the manipulation and servicing of equipment during competition.
ASTRA's base station provides the team with the interface and communication systems needed to operate and monitor the rover during competition.
ASTRA also develops a drone alongside the rover for use during field testing and competition operations.
Each technical group is responsible for the design, manufacturing, testing, and operation of specific rover subsystems. These systems are then brought together through integration and full-rover testing before competition.
This requires coordination between mechanical, electrical, software, and science teams throughout the development process.
To effectively address these challenges, ASTRA is organized into a combination of functional and technical roles.
The functional side of ASTRA consists of six teams that provide leadership, project management, competition preparation, documentation, logistics, and cross-team coordination. Technical roles focus on the design, manufacturing, testing, and operation of specific rover subsystems.
This organizational structure enables specialized development while ensuring seamless integration between all components of the rover.
ASTRA Organizational Structure — 2026-2027
ASTRA members design, manufacture, assemble, and test the individual systems that make up the rover.
Scientific analysis is one of the four primary missions of the University Rover Challenge and is developed alongside the rover's engineering systems.
Hanksville, Utah