SWOSU Rover Dawgs Compete in NASA’s Human Exploration Rover Challenge

SWOSU Rover Dawgs after day 1 of the NASA HERC competition (left to right): Jacob Fast, Tanner Thompson, Caden Tucker, Nathan Brooks, Tomas Izquierdo, Caitlin Delaney, Justin Wiersema, Colton Parkinson, Paris Holmes, Ana Arrieta, and Brett Chase.

The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Rover Dawgs recently participated in NASA's 2024 Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC) held at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. on April 19-20, placing 4th among all U.S. teams and 11th internationally.

The HERC competition challenges students to design and construct human-powered rovers to navigate a demanding half-mile course featuring simulated asteroid fields, boulders, and crevices. Rovers must fit into a 5'x5' cube and complete the course within a simulated eight-minute oxygen supply, similar to Apollo astronaut limitations. Teams must also design and fabricate a task tool for potential NASA lunar rover missions.

In preparation for the competition, SWOSU's Engineering Technology program accepted applications from students interested in joining the Rover Dawgs team. Eight students were selected for their communication skills, attention to detail, and experience with fabrication and computer-aided design. The 2024 team members include Jacob Fast, Weatherford; Tomas Izquierdo, Carnegie; Ana Arrieta, Weatherford; Caitlin Delaney, Mustang; Paris Holmes, Carnegie; Tanner Thompson, Kingfisher; Caden Tucker, Hinton; and Justin Wiersema, Cyril. Assisting these students were faculty mentors Nathan Brooks, Brett Chase, and Colton Parkinson.

One of the initial challenges for the team was to submit a compelling team proposal to earn a spot in the highly competitive 2024 HERC competition. Following approval in early October of 2023, the team began work on their rover. Beyond the race itself, the competition evaluates teams on various aspects, including design reports, virtual presentations with NASA engineers, and STEM outreach efforts. The Rover Dawgs have collaborated with high school and middle school students involved in STEM, participated as judges at the Science Olympiad hosted at SWOSU, and contributed to the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center STEM Day. These activities accounted for over half of their ranking points.

This year's team utilized the folding frame and suspension fabricated and developed by the 2023 rover team, allowing more time to improve the rover's drivetrain and wheels, which are vital for navigating the terrain. The team revamped the drive system, incorporating a pedal transmission and chain for enhanced speed and reliability, while wider wheels wrapped in rubber baler belt were added to improve traction. Despite facing challenges such as muddy conditions and a steering malfunction on the first day of competition, the Rover Dawgs demonstrated resilience as they overcame obstacles and completed the course within the designated time limit on the second day.

The SWOSU Rover Dawgs' achievement is a result of months of dedication, countless hours in the Engineering Technology metals lab, and a commitment to innovation. Their success demonstrates the potential of students when driven by determination and a passion for engineering. To keep up with the Rover Dawgs and follow along with their projects, follow their Instagram and Facebook pages.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Since 1901, Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has proudly stood on the hilltop in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Offering over 100 affordable undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon, SWOSU provides a diverse range of academic opportunities with high-quality education to its students. The university boasts a vibrant community of nearly 5,000 scholars and over 200 dedicated faculty and staff. With strong academic programs and a commitment to excellence, SWOSU continues to be a top choice for students seeking a quality education.