How it works
From idea to final presentation
RIOT is open to teams who want to run real experiments with planetary regolith simulants. Here is the path.
Register interest
Fill out our interest form to let us know your team is in.
Submit a proposal
Email us a research proposal outlining the experiment you plan to run.
Get your package
Once your project is accepted, you can purchase the RIOT package with your chosen simulant.
Run your research
Carry out your experiment and keep us updated with regular research reports.
Present and compete
Deliver a 15 minute final presentation plus 10 minutes of judges' questions.
The RIOT package
Everything you need to start testing
Once your project has been accepted, you can purchase the RIOT package.
- 3 kg or 5 kg of your selected simulant
- RIOT Challenge stickers
- Optional team T-shirt package
Choose your world
Which simulant fits your experiment?
Pick the regolith that matches the environment you want to study.
RIOT Highlands
Represents the terrain of the lunar highlands, making it ideal for testing excavation, construction, oxygen extraction, and dust mitigation technologies.
RIOT Mare
Replicates the basaltic plains of the Moon, supporting research in metal and oxygen extraction, sintering and additive manufacturing, and rover mobility.
RIOT Martian
Matches the composition of Martian soil, enabling studies in plant growth, water and resource extraction, construction materials, and rover and instrument testing.
Awards
Eight awards. Four categories.
Every winner takes home a sintered regolith trophy and a feature on our social channels.
Technical excellence
- Best Experimental Design
- Best Use of Simulant
- Most Unexpected Discovery
Communication
- Best Final Presentation
Team and community
- Best Interdisciplinary Team
- Outstanding Advisor Award
- People's Choice Award
Judges' discretion
- Judges' Choice / Honorable Mentions
Technical excellence
Best Experimental Design
The most rigorous, well-controlled, and reproducible setup.
Best Use of Simulant
The most creative or insightful use of regolith simulant in an experiment.
Most Unexpected Discovery
A surprising result the team investigated well, even if it didn't support their hypothesis.
Communication
Best Final Presentation
The clearest and most engaging talk.
Team and community
Best Interdisciplinary Team
A team that combined different fields, such as engineering and biology.
Outstanding Advisor Award
A mentor who supported their team especially well.
People's Choice Award
The project voted favorite by the public on our social channels.
Judges' discretion
Judges' Choice / Honorable Mentions
Room for judges to recognize strong projects that didn't win another award.