LEGO Models Bring NASA's Mars Exploration to Life in Living Rooms

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Children and adults alike can now bring the excitement of NASA's Mars exploration to their living rooms with new LEGO Technic models of the Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter.

The models were developed in cooperation with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California and are based on the real vehicles, which have been roaming through Mars' Jezero Crater since landing there in February 2021.

The Perseverance rover model is a detailed replica of the real vehicle, complete with working wheels, a robotic arm, and a mast with a solar panel. The Ingenuity helicopter model is also highly detailed, with a rotating rotor and a camera that can be positioned to look in different directions.

Both models are challenging but rewarding builds, and they are sure to provide hours of fun for anyone who loves space exploration.

In addition to the physical models, LEGO also released a digital version of the Perseverance rover that can be built and explored in the free LEGO Building Instructions app. The digital model includes additional features, such as a virtual tour of Jezero Crater and a narrated history of the Perseverance mission.

The LEGO models of the Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter are a great way to learn about NASA's Mars exploration and to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. They are available now for purchase at LEGO stores and online.

Ingenuity's Historic Flights

The Ingenuity helicopter is a small, solar-powered helicopter that was designed to test the feasibility of powered flight on Mars. The helicopter hitched a ride to Mars on the Perseverance rover, and it was released to the surface in April 2021.

Ingenuity made its first successful flight on April 19, 2021, becoming the first aircraft to achieve powered, controlled flight on another planet. The helicopter has since made over 50 additional flights, covering a total distance of over 11 kilometers.

Ingenuity's flights have paved the way for future aerial explorers at Mars and, potentially, other space destinations. The helicopter's success has demonstrated that powered flight is possible on Mars, and it has opened up new possibilities for exploring the Red Planet.

Bringing Space Exploration to Life

The LEGO models of the Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter are a great way to bring space exploration to life for children and adults alike. The models are accurate and detailed, and they provide a hands-on way to learn about NASA's Mars missions.

The models are also a great way to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. They show that space exploration is possible, and they encourage people to dream big and reach for the stars.

©️ Rocky Mountain Dispatch 2023

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