Mars Science Laboratory – Curiosity Rover 1:24 scale
The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) landed on Mars in August 2012 and will operate for at least one Mars year
(approximately two Earth years). MSL is part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort of robotic exploration
of the red planet. The Curiosity rover will assess whether Mars ever was, or is still today, an environment able to support
microbial life. In other words, its mission is to determine the planet's "habitability."
To find out, the rover carries the biggest, most advanced suite of instruments for scientific studies ever sent to
the Martian surface. The rover will analyze dozens of samples scooped from the soil and drilled from rocks. The rover's
onboard laboratory will study rocks, soils, and the local geologic setting in order to detect chemical building blocks of life
(e.g., forms of carbon) on Mars and will assess what the Martian environment was like in the past.
MSL relies on new technological innovations, especially for landing. The spacecraft made a guided reentry,
slowed and descended on a parachute and then released a rocket powered “skycrane” which slowed to a hover and
lowered the rover to the surface on a tether. This innovative approach was needed to allow the rover, the heaviest ever sent
to another planet, to safely land on rough terrain while avoiding excessive backblast from the landing rockets.
The rover will be able to roll over obstacles up to 75 centimeters (29 inches) high and travel up to 90 meters
(295 feet) per hour. The rover carries a radioisotope power system that generates electricity from the heat of plutonium's
radioactive decay. This power source gives the mission an operating lifespan on Mars' surface of a full Martian year (687
Earth days) or more, provides greater mobility and flexibility than solar panel, allows a bigger science payload, and does
not rely on varying seasonal sunshine for power.
To build the model you will need to print the parts onto cardstock. You’ll need scissors/craft knife, glue, a drinking straw, and some
pins. Making the model takes 4-6 hours to complete.
Mars Science Laboratory – Curiosity Rover 1:24 scale
WHEELS 1 SUSPENSION 2 3
4 5 6
STRAW SLIPS INSIDE GRAY
7 8 CYLINDERS ON SUSPENSION
TEMPORARY FIT FOR
MAIN AXLE-DRINKING STRAW DEMONSTRATION – DO NOT GLUE!
RTG 9 10 11 N 12
13 CHASSIS 14
15 16
Cut slits for equipment
box mounting tabs 21 22
REAR CORNERS 17 18
E INSERT STRAW TO SUPPORT
SUSPENSION
E F J F
FRONT CORNERS 19 20
G
H G
H
BOX - D 21 22 RTG 23
D
RTG 24 SKYCRANE BRACKETS 25 HGA 26
COLOR BACK OF PARTS DARK GRAY
OR BLACK
27 28
29 L – ARM MOUNT 30 31
ARM PARTS 32 ARM BRACKET 33
2
7 L
4 3
7
8 1
8
6
1
5
34 35 36
37 ARM 38 L
1 SAMPLE
ARM
2 6 7
3 L
4
5
6 1 2 3 4 5 8
7
8
MASTCAM 39 40 41
42
OPTIONAL DRILL BIT HOLDERS
MSL Curiosity Rover
FOLD
=
Color back of part (inside of wheel) black. Color back of part (inside of wheel) black.
=
ROLL
WHEELS
N N
MAIN AXLE LENGTH
Right side suspension FRONT
STRAW OR DOWEL Glue to thick card.
~7/32” or 5.5mm diameter
S
RTG
Left side suspension
S Glue to thick card.
PRINT ON
EXPIRES
Mars
CARDSTOCK
DEC 2014
Copyright 2012: John Jogerst
MSL R04 Not for commercial use.
The Extreme Planet FRONT
For personal/educational use only.
MARS REGISTRATION
DRILL BITS
MSL Curiosity Rover J OPTIONAL D HGA
OMNI
REAR
CORNER
D
D
5
J REAR
E F
For personal/educational use only.
CORNER
N
Copyright 2012: John Jogerst
N
N
Not for commercial use.
E F
G
FRONT
CORNER SKYCRANE
BRACKETS
KKK
S H L S
E F
RTG B G
C
PRINT ON CARDSTOCK 1
L 2
SAMPLE
H ARM
3
MASTCAM FRONT
L 4
CORNER
5
MAST SAMPLE
ARM
6 7 6 7
L
8
K 1 2 3 4 5 8 DRILL BITS
OPTIONAL
