Overview
Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) partnered with Aerion Technologies to create an immersive, scenario-based Mission to Mars experience. Through cutting-edge software and real-time control of a physical Mars rover, VSSEC transformed STEM education and enabled engaging, team-based learning for over 22,000 students.
The Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC), based in Melbourne, Australia, is a leader in innovative science education. Their mission is to inspire students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) by developing hands-on, research-driven programs for secondary schools. VSSEC’s unique approach leverages real-world scenarios—like simulated Mars missions—to foster teamwork, critical thinking, and scientific literacy among diverse learners across Australia and beyond.
VSSEC envisioned a program where students would not only learn about Mars exploration, but also directly experience the complexities of planetary missions. They sought to expand their Mars education program by developing a real-life robotic mission:
Lack of Dynamic, Real-World Engagement: Traditional simulations did not fully immerse students in cooperative, data-driven mission roles.
Difficulty Integrating Software and Robotics: The need to interface web-based software with a real robotic rover—while managing simultaneous student roles and live mission data—required a tailored, robust solution.
Real-Time Tracking and Control Challenges: Accurately tracking a rover’s live position and orientation on a physical surface was technically demanding, complicated by visual noise and hardware limitations.
To bring VSSEC’s vision to life, Aerion Technologies adopted a collaborative, multi-disciplinary process and a customer-first mindset:
Discovery & Consultation: Aerion met with VSSEC and partner universities to uncover educational goals, technical criteria, and user requirements.
Research & Data Analysis: The team analyzed best practices in robotics, simulation, and real-time collaborative software for education.
Strategic Planning: Defined student workflow, mission roles, system architecture, and data requirements for scenario-based learning.
Technology Selection & Custom Development: Leveraged ASP.NET for scalable web application development. Partnered with hardware teams for seamless integration with a physical Mars rover, employing custom computer vision and pathfinding algorithms to overcome unique constraints.
Aerion delivered an innovative, web-based Mission Control application that brings Mars exploration to life for schools:
Remote Rover Command and Live Video Integration: Students anywhere in the world can log in to control a physical Mars rover, viewing its environment via real-time video streaming from onboard and overhead cameras.
Computer Vision Tracking: Developed a visual tracking system using blue LED markers on the rover to reliably identify its location and orientation, even under challenging red-lit conditions.
Collaborative Mission Roles: Designed 12 distinct science and engineering mission roles, assigned to students who must monitor real-time data (power, science samples, environmental stats) and coordinate mission-critical decisions as a team.
Process Automation and Scenario Management: Automated calibration routines enable accurate rover control, while simulated mission events—such as dust storms or solar flares—dynamically affect operations, creating realistic challenges.
Web Application Integration: ASP.NET-powered collaborative platform, accessible to schools statewide and worldwide, with robust administration tools for teachers and easy onboarding.
Key Technical Features:
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Custom web development in ASP.NET
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Computer vision for real-time rover tracking
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Pathfinding algorithms to automate safe navigation
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Modular admin interface to manage missions and users
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Secure, scalable cloud hosting
Since launch, the Robotic Mission to Mars program has delivered measurable, impactful outcomes for VSSEC:
22,000+ students engaged in nearly 1,000 mission sessions
100% increase in remote school participation
Enhanced student engagement and STEM learning through hands-on, real-world teamwork
Improved accuracy and reliability in rover positioning (via custom computer vision)
Expanded reach: Schools across Victoria and internationally can now access the unique Mars experience
The complexity of this software cannot be underestimated.
Aerion have been responsible for building the underlying structure of the Robotic Mission to Mars, creating the twelve distinct interfaces for Mission Control and providing the administration interface through which we have loaded the content and managed the schools which have run this program. They have also been responsible for building the software which allows students in Mission Control to drive the rover on our Mars surface, to extend the robotic arm on the rover and control the pan and tilt camera on the rover. The complexity of this software cannot be underestimated.
Having worked with other software developers on a variety of projects as well as writing a great deal myself I am very conscious and appreciative of the work of Aerion Technologies. I have no hesitation in commending them on a job well done.
Let’s build something remarkable together
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