The Australian Space Agency and industry consortium ELO2 have partnered with the Adelaide University to put Roo-ver — our first Aussie Moon rover — front and centre as part of the 2026 Australian Rover Challenge.
The Australian Space Discovery Centre is the official city-based viewing hub for this year's challenge from Thursday 26 March to Sunday 29 March, offering live streaming of the event across each day. This provides a central location for the competition, which is held at the Adelaide University's Roseworthy campus. The centre will also hold a special Q&A event focused on Australia's Roo-ver program.
The Rover Challenge sees university teams, from Australia and across the world, test semi‑autonomous rovers in a full‑scale simulated lunar missions. Run by Adelaide University, the sixth edition of the competition will bring together student engineers to tackle real‑style mission tasks like navigation, resource work and construction — all on a Moon‑focused surface.
Special hybrid event: Inside Australia's first Moon rover program
As major partners for this year's Challenge, the Australian Space Agency and ELO2 are hosting a special event at the Australian Space Discovery Centre on Saturday 28 March.
Through an exclusive Q&A with representatives from both the Agency and ELO2, attendees will get a behind the scenes look into the Roo-ver program. The program involves Australia designing, building and operating the nation's first rover on the Moon within this decade in collaboration with NASA.
Space enthusiasts of all ages are invited to join the in-person and virtual event to hear how big ideas, bold engineering, and teamwork are powering this history‑making program.
When: Saturday 28 March at 11am (ACDT)
Where: Australian Space Discovery Centre and online
What is happening? Q&A session about the history-making Roo-ver program
For those attending in-person, enjoy a range of activities after the event, including:
- SketchBots – Have your portrait drawn by a robot, with a digital copy sent to the Moon with Roo-ver.
- Hands‑on activities for kids
- A close‑up look at the latest Roo-ver prototype
- Live streaming of the Australian Rover Challenge in our theatrette
Join us in-person
Join us virtually
Location
The Australian Space Discovery Centre is located on the east end of North Terrace in Adelaide.
Our Lot Fourteen address is Ground floor, McEwin Building | 364-370 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000.
Meet Roo-ver
The Australian-made rover that will go to the Moon with NASA.
