The Imperial Planetary Robotics Lab (IPRL) Alumni Project Initiative (API) represents a convergence of academic innovation and new industry expertise dedicated to advancing planetary exploration technologies.

Founded in 2022 at Imperial College London, the Imperial Planetary Robotics Lab (IPRL) emerged from a passionate community of students across multiple disciplines united by a shared enthusiasm for planetary exploration and robotics. Recognising the need for a collaborative environment, IPRL was established to provide a space for like minded students to innovate, collaborate, and gain experience in planetary robotics.

In its first two years, IPRL proudly represented the UK at the European Rover Challenge (ERC) finals, serving as a flagship initiative demonstrating the lab’s capabilities and ambition. Today, IPRL has expanded, encompassing other branches such as a research branch working on In Situ Lunar water extraction, and now an industry branch: the Alumni Project Initiative.

The IPRL Alumni Project Initiative (API) is a team of exceptionally skilled Imperial College alumni, each actively engaged in the space industry across various roles. Founded by former founding members of IPRL, API is dedicated to advancing professional contributions to the space sector by leveraging the collective expertise of passionate young industry professionals.

Our team’s engineers are contributing to cutting edge space hardware across the industry, from next-generation space propulsion systems to lunar micro-reactors, while our scientists bring expertise in planetary resources and geological analysis, with a focus on lunar regolith processing and InSAR data applications.

Despite balancing full-time careers, our team consistently excels in project management, leadership, and organisational capabilities. Collectively, our experience spans projects such as ESA’s BEXUS programme, Mars rover developments, entrepreneurship initiatives, and the orchestration of impactful events including hackathons and roundtable discussions.

We are united by a shared passion for space exploration, planetary robotics, and in-situ resource utilisation.