Wind and snow. Two components of harsh weather you encounter during the winter in Hungary but really won't expect it on the Moon. But this was our last opportunity for a field test before shipping the Iteration 2 rover to Innsbruck for the MARS2013 dress rehearsal, so we had no time to waste. After some brainstorming and a few phone calls, the team came up with a solution: the indoor Sand Arena at the sport complex of Építők SC (the name, Builders, refers to  the Sports Club of to the Union of Building-industry Workers). The arena is normally used for things like beach volleyball training, so our inquiry to test a Moon rover there was truly out of the ordinary - but thankfully they let our rover in happily.

Roving in the sand.

Look ma', no hands! I mean, no cables, charging from batteries.

Setting up the Mission Control.

Rover perspective.

We thank the Építők Sand Arena for their hospitality again - and stay tuned for more MARS2013 news from Innsbruck!

Photos: Ervin Nagy, Puli Space

Sand Arena - if you don't have a Moon rover to test, you can come to us to play beach volleyball, beach football or tennis too!