The ERC brings together not just rovers, but also a large roster of other space-related themes. This year, the Challenge will see 25 teams from 12 countries compete on a specially designed Martian track.
Each day of the ERC 2023 focuses on a different theme. "On Friday, participants will 'move to Mars' to meet Dr. Robert Zubrin, a world-renowned Mars expert and founder of The Mars Society," said Maciej Myśliwiec from the ERC press office.
Saturday will be dedicated to "Artemis Day," where specialists in space technologies will discuss mankind's return to the Moon, the potential to harness its resources, and its use as a potential launch pad for deep space missions. Sunday shifts the focus back to Earth, with discussions on the use of satellite data, how space technologies can help protect our planet, and their role in our daily lives.
Prominent figures at the event include Sławosz Uznański, a member of the European Astronaut Corps, currently in line for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Other guests include Les Johnson, a physicist, award-winning science-fiction author, and NASA engineer; Shelli Brunswick, COO of the Space Foundation; and Alessandro Golkar, a nanosatellite and satellite constellation specialist from the Technical University of Munich.
Visitors can expect an immersive experience: from tasting space food, piloting drones, and observing the Sun and night sky, to exploring robots made of LEGO bricks, designing can-sized satellites, and learning where life might exist in our solar system.
Start-ups and those keen on launching their businesses can also seek advice on potential support from the European Space Agency's Business Incubation Centre in Poland (ESA BIC Poland).
The ERC operates under the permanent patronage of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Polish Space Agency. Long-standing supporters also include NASA decision-makers and astronauts, ESA robotics department heads, representatives from the EU Agency for the Space Programme, and various international space organizations and companies.
The co-organizers of the ERC 2023 are the European Space Foundation, Świętokrzyski University of Technology, and the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. The event will be held at the University, with lectures and demonstrations also available for viewing online. The program includes activities for both children and adults, and entrance to the event and its accompanying Inspiration Zone is free.
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Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Michał Owczarek.
