UAE students achieve historic Rover Challenge victory at NASA’s 2025 HERC, winning ‘Rookie of the Year’ on debut.
Dubai: In a historic first, students from Deira International School (DIS), under the Al Futtaim Education Foundation, achieved an exceptional milestone at NASA’s 2025 Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC), winning the coveted ‘Rookie of the Year’ award. This NASA’s 2025 Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC), highlights a defining moment for the nation’s STEM ambitions on a global stage.
The annual NASA event, held at Marshall Space Flight Center, invites global student teams to design and race human-powered rovers over simulated planetary terrain. Among 76 teams from 16 countries, DIS stood out through innovation, engineering, and problem-solving—a result of months of mentorship by Al-Futtaim Automotive and academic guidance from Head of Physics, Mr Dominic Bourn.
Al-Futtaim Automotive provided real-world engineering tools and support, while Al Futtaim Education Foundation empowered students with advanced learning opportunities. The six-member team, aged 16 to 18, emerged as top first-time participants, showcasing UAE’s rising strength in space innovation and education.
Antoine Barthes, VP of Al-Futtaim Automotive, stated: “Winning Rookie of the Year sets a new benchmark and reflects our commitment to nurturing future mobility leaders.” Kerry Ross, COO of Al Futtaim Education Foundation, added: “This is a proud moment for UAE education, where opportunity and mentorship drive global achievement.”
The UAE’s Rover Challenge victory reinforces the country’s vision of fostering scientific excellence and contributing meaningfully to the space economy. DIS’s success at the 31st HERC firmly positions the UAE as a growing force in youth-led innovation and global collaboration.
