The objective of this project was to design an autonomous rover tailored to a Martian environment as part of the NASA University Student Launch Initiative. This project was in association with the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) on a voluntary basis. The team was challenged with weight, volume, time, and mechanical restrictions (no hydraulics or pneumatics).

The idea behind the rover was to be fully autonomous, capable of loading a payload into the rocket team's vehicle, small enough to fit within a reasonable space, and protected from the Martian environment. An added challenge that the team took was to find a way to make the rover a little more maneuverable.

As the lead design engineer, my responsibility was to:
-Work with the team to determine the design of the rover.
-Ensure each team member's design is seamlessly integrated with the final assembly.
-Ensure the final design is feasible mechanically.
-Compile a Bill of Materials (BoM) and order the materials necessary within a controlled budget.
-Work as a team to construct the physical prototype rover.
-Solve problems with the build as they arise.

This rover holds a special place in my heart as it was the first object I modeled on any CAD program. I had no prior knowledge of CAD and learned by experimentation; the team had an idea and I took initiative to make that idea come to life.