2020 NASA Space Apps Challenge

Team: The Red Planet

• Stephen Scott (McMaster University)
• Evan Bernard (University of Waterloo)
• Andrew Cramp (Queen's University)
• Daniel Wise (McMaster University)

Challenge: Can You Hear Me Now?

• Explore the challenges in communicating with astronauts on Mars from Earth

Solution: Red Rover

• Interactive 3D application developed in Unity (C#)
• Modelled partial solar system based on Newtonian physics
• Allows user's to program commands for the Perseverance rover on the surface of Mars
• Commands are sent flying through space, and are only executed after being received at Mars
• Demonstrates the challenge of dealing with communication latency over vast distances in space

How To Play

• Run Red Rover.exe
• Hit spacebar to enable command log
• Use arrow keys (i.e. left, right, up, down) to program robot maneuvers
• Hit spacebar again to confirm the command packet
• Left-click Earth to send the command packet to Mars
• The Perseverance rover should move according to the programmed commands once the packet arrives at Mars