SWOSU Rover Dawgs Compete at NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge

The SWOSU Rover Dawgs with the remote-controlled rover. From left: Brett Chase, Tiffany Lorenz, Wyatt Riley, Ryker Miller, Brandon Ogle, Wyatt Chisum, Kaleb DeVaughan, Brian Izaguirre, Jonathan Wilson, and Nathan Brooks.

The SWOSU Rover Dawgs recently competed in NASA's 2026 Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC), held at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The annual competition, sponsored by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, brought together 42 student teams from around the world.

Each team was challenged to design, build, and operate human-powered or remotely controlled rovers capable of completing complex mission objectives in extreme terrain conditions.

The SWOSU Rover Dawgs entered two teams in the competition, one human-powered and one remote-controlled, and both placed among the top finishers. The human-powered team earned fourth place overall, while the remote-controlled team finished fifth.

Both teams navigated a demanding half-mile course designed to replicate the harsh, uneven terrain of extraterrestrial environments, featuring obstacles such as boulders, craters, and narrow crevices. Along the course, teams were also required to complete a series of mission-based tasks using a student-designed and manufactured task tool. These tasks simulated real astronaut operations, including collecting samples, manipulating equipment, and performing precise, controlled actions. Success in the competition depended not only on speed, but also on accuracy, coordination, and the ability to execute complex tasks efficiently under pressure.

The human-powered team developed a new rover and refined its 3D-printed wheel system as part of this year's design. Led by Ana Arrieta of Weatherford, the team included Kamryn Brewer of Clinton, Logan Doyals of Weatherford, Tomas Izquierdo of Carnegie, Mason Pritchard of Weatherford, Caden Tucker of Hinton, and Justin Wiersema of Cyril. The group completed the course in under eight minutes on both competition days, overcoming all obstacles and successfully completing each mission task. Their fastest run finished in 6 minutes and 30 seconds.

SWOSU Rover Dawgs pose with their human-powered rover at NASA's Human Exploration Rover Challenge. Back row, left to right: Brett Chase, Nathan Brooks, Tomas Izquierdo, Mason Pritchard, Brandon Ogle, Caden Tucker, Justin Wiersema, and Kamryn Brewer. Seated: Ana Arrieta and Logan Doyals.

The remote-controlled team also built a new rover entirely from the ground up, with an emphasis on maneuverability, system reliability, and efficient task execution. Led by Tiffany Lorenz of Okeene, the team included Wyatt Chisum of Weatherford, Kaleb DeVaughan of Weatherford, Brian Izaguirre of Clinton, Ryker Miller of Granite, Wyatt Riley of Tuttle, Jonathan Wilson of Frederick, and Mitchel Worley of Sayre. The team demonstrated consistent, precise control across both days, successfully navigating the course and completing mission-based tasks with their custom-designed tool.

Preparation for the challenge spanned nine months and required students to complete a series of milestones that mirrored NASA's engineering design process. Teams submitted a formal proposal, participated in multiple design and readiness reviews with NASA engineers, and built and tested prototype rovers throughout the year. This process allowed students to refine their designs, improve performance, and prepare for the demands of competition.

"The rover is the result of nine months of dedicated work designing, fabricating, and testing by our student team," said Nathan Brooks, human-powered team advisor. "I am proud of their professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to producing a high-quality rover that performed at a high level in competition."

"This team took on the challenge and delivered an outstanding performance on a national stage," said Brett Case, remote-controlled team advisor. "Their ability to combine innovative design with precision control and reliability speaks to the countless hours of testing, problem-solving, and teamwork they invested throughout the year."

Faculty sponsors for the Rover Dawgs include Brooks, Chase, and SWOSU Engineering Technology instructor Brandon Ogle.

For more information about the SWOSU Department of Engineering Technology, visit https://www.swosu.edu/academics/academic-departments/engineering-technology/.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit https://www.swosu.edu.