Solar Powered Mars Rovers

The Regulations are exceedingly liberal, effectively anything goes as long as it fits within an A4 paper carton, only uses energy collected from the solar panel and has no stored energy at the commencement of the race. This allows participants wide scope for design innovation. Because of this it is incredibly difficult to give any sort of detailed advice. Following the basics for good motor racing vehicles is about the best advice possible.

 The following points are worth considering:

• High power to weight ratio.
• Highest panel power possible under the regulations
• Lowest possible vehicle weight.
• High efficiency motor transmission and electronics systems if used.
• Panel as close to right angles to Sun as possible.
• Vehicle and its drive system able to negotiate the obstacles.
• Do test your vehicle on surfaces typical of the actual track.
• Carefully consider the top speed of the vehicle, a high top speed may cause the vehicle to bounce over the obstacles and catch on the track divider or outer edges.

As a starting point for your design project investigation included here are details of two Mars Rovers which have performed adequately. There are other far simpler design that perform adequately, one that comes to mind is all polystyrene using cheap hobby motors driving large diameter polystyrene wheels with rubber bands. It does not have to be super technical or use expensive components. Good design is the secret.  

The Buying guide lists suppliers of the more specialised and harder to locate components and material.