METSAnauts

Neil Rao

Design Lead & BothScape Builder

Drives the overall design vision for the project and leads construction of BothScape — the 8′ × 8′ dual-surface terrain simulation replicating the lunar south pole and ancient Martian terrain. Responsible for material selection, structural layout, and ensuring the simulation meets the fidelity requirements of the HERA mission.

Arnav Sangle

Software Lead

Architects and develops the rover software suite, including the web-based astronaut control interface and the AI-powered natural language command mode. Maintains the codebase, oversees system integration between software and hardware, and leads the team's web presence.

Sanay Tyagi

Financial Lead & Documentation Manager

Manages the team's budget, tracks expenditures across all hardware and materials, and coordinates procurement. Also owns all project documentation — maintaining accurate technical records, write-ups, and submission materials to ensure the project is presentation-ready for FDR.

Advay Singi

Operations Lead

Oversees day-to-day project operations — coordinating schedules, managing team workflows, and keeping milestones on track. Leads integration testing and deployment protocols to make sure all subsystems work together reliably before any mission scenario.

Arun Rebbapragada

Hardware Lead

Owns the full hardware stack across all four rovers — electronics integration, motor systems, wiring harnesses, and physical assembly. Ensures every unit is built to spec and field-ready, leading hands-on fabrication and hardware-level troubleshooting throughout the build cycle.