Space Drone Challenge
Fastest valid run through the course wins.
- Competition day15 November 2026
- Registration closes10 November 2026
- Team sizeExactly 2 members — one Pilot and one Visual Spotter
- Entry feeFree
Why this challenge
As space missions venture farther into the Solar System, future exploration will increasingly depend on intelligent vehicles capable of navigating unfamiliar environments, avoiding obstacles, making decisions and reaching scientifically valuable locations. Aerial drones, autonomous rovers and other robotic systems can complement one another, helping scientists investigate landscapes, study geological features and explore environments beyond the reach of traditional exploration methods.
The objective
Navigate the drone through every obstacle in the arena and cross the finish line. The aim is to complete the entire track in the minimum possible time while clearing the obstacles and maintaining flight control. The team with the lowest adjusted completion time is declared the winner.
What you need to do
Assemble and configure your own drone within the technical specification, pass the failsafe and technical inspection, then fly the prescribed obstacle sequence — starting rings, cone zigzag, ring tunnel, wind tunnel, height hurdles, final zigzag and finish ring — in the fastest valid time.
Format
| Eligibility | Open to all — students, hobbyists and independent builders |
|---|---|
| Team size | Exactly 2 members — one Pilot and one Visual Spotter |
| Competition format | Individual timed runs; one drone in the active arena at a time |
| Control | Manual radio control by the pilot; a visual spotter is mandatory |
| Mode | On-site timed runs |
| Arena | Arena approx. 15 m × 10 m |
| Venue | Haldwani, Uttarakhand |
Technical specification
| Wheelbase | 210–220 mm diagonal motor-to-motor |
|---|---|
| Frame material | Carbon fibre, rigid composites or high-density 3D-printed materials |
| Propellers | Maximum 5-inch |
| Motors | Brushless only — 2205, 2207, 2306 or equivalent |
| Battery | Maximum 4S LiPo/Li-ion, 16.8 V fully charged. 5S/6S prohibited |
| All-up weight | Maximum 800 g including battery and equipment |
| Propeller guards | Required unless the safety officer approves otherwise |
| RC transmitter | 2.4 GHz band |
| FPV camera / VTX | Optional — FPV or visual line-of-sight both permitted |
| VTX if FPV used | 5.8 GHz analogue, maximum 200 mW; channels assigned at the registration desk |
| Telemetry | Optional |
| Failsafe | Must cut motor power within 1 second of RC signal loss |
| Ready-to-fly drones | Not permitted — the drone must be assembled and configured by the team |
Obstacle course
| Start area / start gate | Clear opening approx. 800 × 800 mm; lower edge 150–250 mm above floor |
|---|---|
| Starting Rings 1 and 2 | 800 mm clear inner diameter; centres approx. 1.2 m above floor |
| First cone zigzag | 4 cones, each 500–700 mm high, spaced approx. 1.2 m |
| Ring tunnel (Rings 3, 4, 5) | 3 rings in line, 800 mm inner diameter, 0.9–1.2 m between centres |
| Wind tunnel | Clear passage approx. 900 × 900 mm, length 2.0–2.4 m |
| Hurdle 1 — Low (fly under) | Approx. 1.0 m wide; crossbar 150–200 mm above floor |
| Hurdle 2 — High (fly over) | Approx. 1.0 m wide; top bar 450–500 mm above floor |
| Hurdle 3 — Low (fly under) | Approx. 1.0 m wide; crossbar 150–200 mm above floor |
| Hurdle 4 — High (fly over) | Approx. 1.0 m wide; top bar 450–500 mm above floor |
| Final cone zigzag | 4 cones, each 500–700 mm high, spaced approx. 1.2 m |
| Finish ring | 800 mm clear inner diameter |
All dimensions and markings may be adjusted by the organisers according to the available space and event requirements.
Marks allocation
| Ring 1 | 5 |
|---|---|
| Ring 2 | 5 |
| First cone zigzag (4 cones) | 10 |
| Ring tunnel (Rings 3, 4 and 5) | 20 |
| Wind tunnel | 30 |
| Hurdle 1 — Low (under) | 5 |
| Hurdle 2 — High (over) | 5 |
| Hurdle 3 — Low (under) | 5 |
| Hurdle 4 — High (over) | 5 |
| Final cone zigzag (4 cones) and finish ring | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Winning criteria
- Fastest valid completion time — primary criterion
- Total score out of 100 across the obstacles
- Penalty deductions for missed or displaced obstacles
- Bonus marks for smooth, controlled flight
Penalties and disqualification
| Missed ring, gate, ring tunnel or wind tunnel | +10 seconds per missed checkpoint |
|---|---|
| Missed or incorrect hurdle / cone-slalom checkpoint | +10 seconds per missed checkpoint or incorrect route |
| Contact with or displacement of an obstacle | +5 seconds per contact that affects an obstacle |
| Failsafe test failure | Not permitted to race — disqualification |
| Unsafe arming or deliberately unsafe flight | Run stopped immediately; possible disqualification |
| Damaged battery or unsafe equipment | Not cleared to fly until corrected and re-inspected |
Rules and code of conduct
- All teams must register and clear drone technical inspection before the competition.
- Each team must have exactly two members — one Pilot and one Visual Spotter.
- The Visual Spotter must keep a clear visual line of sight with the drone and must not enter the flight arena during an official run.
- Each team may use only one drone. If it crashes, a backup drone may be used but the race restarts from the beginning.
- Ready-to-fly drones such as the DJI Avata are not permitted — teams may buy components and frames but must assemble and configure the drone themselves.
- Pilots must follow the prescribed obstacle sequence.
- Drones may be armed or launched only with permission from the technical team.
- An automatic failsafe must shut off motor power within 1 second of RC signal loss.
- VTX must not be powered on in the pit area without explicit approval.
- Do not bypass obstacles, interfere with other teams or modify the course.
- Do not enter the active flight area or retrieve a crashed drone without permission from the technical team.
- Do not fly an unsafe or non-compliant drone.
- Do not continue flying after an emergency stop instruction.
- Swollen or damaged batteries are strictly prohibited.
- The chief judge's decision on scoring, penalties and results is final.