Please contact the URC Chair if you have any questions.

[1.Q] Are we expected to make our own "simulated radio repeater", or will this be provided to us? Will we get detailed engineering drawings of what this will look like?

[1.A] The simulated radio repeater will be provided by the Mars Society.  The specifications are addressed in detail in the Level 2 Requirements and Guidelines, which are now available online.  Beyond this level of detail it is unlikely that we will release an actual engineering drawing.  Part of the challenge is to be able to adapt to minute uncertainties in the field - although the simulated repeater is designed to be very generic and easy to adapt to.

[2.Q] In the rules, it says the teams will be judged by the suitability of the location and the quality of the deployment. How is this judged?

[2.A] At the test site, there will be a general designated zone in which teams will deploy the repeater.  The judges will have this site broken down into smaller zones, each associated with a score based on line of site to the hab, and the designated target field site (where the repeater will be relaying to).  The teams will not have access to the score zones until after the event - they will be required to make a decision with regard to the actual deployment location.

The quality of deployment will be assessed by the judges with regard to stability, durability, and likelihood for signal interference (i.e. don't use ferrous metal cages).

[3.Q] How is the telescience component to be judged? Is there a data reduction phase, followed by a final report or presentation?

[3.A] For the telescience event, this was intentionally left highly unconstrained.  Teams will be required to submit a recommendation in the form of a field brief at the end of their field investigation time window.  This will require the teams to verbally present their findings, using any auxiliary materials (computer data, etc.) that they feel are appropriate.  While most teams may prefer to have the opportunity to analyze their results overnight - this event is in the context of a human mission to Mars.  Decisions must be made quickly, as there is far more work to do than there are days on the surface!

[4.Q] What sort of ground should we prepare for? The rules discuss the potential ground slope, but not whether it will be very loose sand, compacted, vegetation, boulders, rocky, muddy (optimistic for Mars, eh?), etc. Deserts in the "American West" can look very different from place to place!

[4.A] A more detailed site report will be available after the site announcement in January, however for now it is safe to assume that the ground will be very compact, with minimal loose sand (however dust may be an issue).  Large rocks and boulders are also not out of the question.  Mud is also possible, but only if it happens to rain before the event.  This description may still leave some gaps - however much like actual Mars missions, the crew and their equipment will have to adapt and improvise in the field with what they have.  Versatile equipment design is the key in this challenge.

[5.Q] Is there a possibility that a competition could be scheduled at night/early evening?

[5.A] All of the competition events will be held in full daylight.

[6.Q] Will the Mars Society be determining the radio frequency/remote control protocols or is that up to each team?

[6.A] The radio protocol that you use is completely up to you.

[7.Q] How many operators of the rover are allowed?

[7.A] There is no restriction on the number of operators allowed, as long as all operators remain in the designated operators area (there will be no unreasonable constraints imposed).  Nobody may follow alongside the rover and radio back any information.  Members of the judging team may follow a rover at their discretion.

[8.Q] Are distributed (multi-rover) systems allowed?

[8.A] The rules state: "The rover shall be a stand-alone, off-the-grid, mobile platform."  A single connected platform must leave the designated start gate and return to the designated finish gate.  In the open field, the primary platform may deploy any number of smaller sub-platforms, so long as the combined master/slave sub-platforms meet all additional requirements published.

[9.Q] Are airborne rovers allowed?

[9.A] According to the rules: "The rover shall be a stand-alone, off-the-grid, mobile platform."  Therefore, airborne rovers that meet all other published requirements are allowed.  Additionally, any airborne vehicles must meet any and all FAA guidelines that apply to operating unmanned aircraft in a remote area.  It will be the responsibility of each team to research any such FAA requirements and provide them to the judges prior to the beginning of the field trials.

[10.Q] Are rovers over the weight requirement allowed to participate?

[10.A] Rovers weighing more than 50 kg are still eligible to participate in the URC, however will receive a penalty proportional to the excess weight.  Teams with rovers more than 25 kg overweight must contact the URC Chair in advance to ensure that it is safe for their vehicle to traverse the off-road trails.

[11.Q] Will there be AC power available at the competition site?

[11.A] Yes.  There will be power at the Command & Control site to power laptops, and communications equipment.  (Please let the URC Chair know if you have any unusually large power requirements for this).  A high power hookup will be available at the MDRS hab for recharging batteries, etc.

[12.Q] What is the maximum range?

[12.A] The rover's specific route will obviously change this, however the target sites will be located no further than a quarter mile (straight line) from the start/finish gate.  Therefore, if you want full communications, you need to be able to make yours reach at least a quarter mile.  If you want to make the round trip back to the finish gate after completing your task (thus receiving maximum points), plan on being able to travel at least one half mile (although budgeting for a less-than-straight path would be wise).

Note that the rover returning back to the finish gate will be weighted less than the rover successfully completing the task.  Therefore, not being able to make the round trip will only be a minor point deduction.