Manipal Institute of Technology to Host IRC & ISDC 2026

Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal, will host the International Rover Challenge (IRC) 2026 and the International Space Drone Challenge (ISDC) 2026 from 28 January to 2 February 2026. Organized by the Space Robotics Society (SPROS), the event will feature student-built rovers and aerial drones competing on a Mars-analog terrain known as Sproscape.

Top student teams from Germany, and Poland will participate, including institutions such as IISc, IITs, BITS, and TU Berlin. The competition will test innovation, autonomy, precision, and engineering excellence through mission categories such as Reconnaissance & Delivery Operation (R&DO), Astrobiology Expedition (ABEx), Instrument Deployment & Maintenance Operation (IDMO), and Autonomous Mission.

With Mars Rover Manipal, the two-time defending champion, hosting the event, MIT reaffirms its leadership in space robotics and experiential engineering education. Beyond competition, the event offers valuable industry-relevant, interdisciplinary learning experiences for aspiring space professionals.