Navigating to lunar glory

The Australian Rover Challenge 2026 is under way at Adelaide University's Roseworthy Campus.

Following intense competition through a System Acceptance Review, teams from 11 countries globally are now competing at the finals, including Monash Engineering's famed Monash Nova Rover.

After extensive preparation and testing, the Nova team will undertake a series of tasks including Post Landing; Lunar Resources; Lunar Excavation and Construction; and Mapping and Autonomous.

With an interstellar competition record - 1st place in 2022 and 2023, 2nd place in 2024 and 3rd place in 2025 - we hope the Nova Rover will successfully navigate its way to yet another triumph.

Later this year, the team will take their rover "Banksia" to compete in the world's premier robotics competition "The University Rover Challenge (URC)" held in Utah, USA.

Learn more about Monash Nova Rover and preparation for the Australian Rover Challenge here.

Read about all contestants from The Mars Society here.