The Mars Rover Design Team revealed last year’s rover outside of the Havener Center. Sam O’Keefe/Missouri S&T

The Mars Rover Design Team at Missouri University of Science and Technology will unveil Gryphon, this year’s student-built rover, at a ceremony scheduled for noon Friday, March 3, in the Havener Center atrium.

Gryphon is the Missouri S&T Mars Rover Design Team’s newest creation
(video by Terry Barner/Missouri S&T).

After unveiling the rover, the team will host a meet-and-greet with team members and showcase various parts and aspects of the vehicle. The event is free and open to the public.

The team will compete at the Mars Society’s 2017 University Rover Challenge, held June 1-3 at the Mars Desert Research Station in Hanksville, Utah. Approximately 30 university teams from around the world will compete at the event.

The competition requires students to design and build the potential next generation of Mars rovers capable of working on the red planet and supporting future astronaut missions. Missouri S&T’s Mars Rover Design Team began work on its vehicle in the fall and is now testing and refining it in preparation for the competition. During the competition, teams will maneuver their rovers across rough terrain and complete a series of tasks. Teams will also present a technical report detailing the rover’s design specifications.