The Mars probe Perseverance and the creativity of the helicopter as a Lego set – that’s what’s behind it

Since the successful landing on Mars in February 2021, the Mars Perseverance rover and the Ingenuity mini-helicopter have been exploring the Red Planet’s Jezero Crater together. Perseverance and Creativity are available as Lego sets from the beginning of June 2023.

in communication NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has now explained why the US space agency is working with the Danish toy manufacturer. And why Perseverance and Creativity is now featured in 1:10 scale in Lego’s Technic series.

Mars missions, according to JPL director Lori Lechien, began several decades ago with an idea so big that many thought it impossible. But it was possible to bring a rover and a helicopter to Mars and explore Mars.

“At JPL, we dream big and push boundaries,” says Leshin. “I hope this kind of game will spark the same exploratory spirit in kids that we have here at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.”

For JPL’s Scott Holm, who helped the Lego team improve the set, collaborating with companies like Lego is a way to make space exploration more fun and accessible for the next generation of explorers.

This LEGO Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance set comes with 360-degree steering and posable arms. Thanks to its supple suspension, the Perseverance should be able to roll over uneven terrain on its six wheels. Like the original, the rover model contains thrusters, antennas, cameras, and scientific instruments.

The accompanying augmented reality app aims to provide young researchers—the kit is suitable for ages ten and up—with information about environmental conditions on Mars and make the rover’s mission concrete.

Persevere as a Lego set: An AR app to make NASA’s mission more realistic. (photo: LEGO)

NASA has been working with Lego since the 1990s. The results include detailed Lego versions of the ISS International Space Station, the Apollo Lunar Module and the Saturn V rocket, as well as several joint educational projects.

In addition, three white figures were on their way to Jupiter on the Juno rocket, and four Lego figures were on board the Orion capsule, which flew to the Moon and back to Earth in 2022 as part of NASA’s Artemis 1 mission.

Perseverance Lego set launched at €94.99 camecurrently costs only 79.99 euros on Amazon.