Mars Rover: Curiosity (Articulated)

687 Days planned. 4660 Days of operation. 

Amazing to discover that NASA provides 3D print models in two sizes for their rovers on their website. It's great as a learning tool.

I love delving into the intricacies of these machines, understanding why things are positioned where they are and how they function. Unfortunately, the models around are too beefed up for printing and a tad inaccurate for my taste. Also, i wanted to update this model for the increasingly advanced setups we all have.

Referencing photos from JPL and NASA, this model tries to more faithfully mirror the current configuration of the Curiosity Rover, that has been roving for over 11 years now. 

Updated Parts:

• RTG

• High-gain antenna

• Sample collectors

• Wires & busses

• combined chemcam and peg

• Wheels (+new swivel hubs)

• Suspension (more realistic angles)

Changes: 

• derived from NASAs ‘big’ model, scaled down to ‘small’ model (1/2)

• Increased detail

• Improved realistic Proportions (+ Instrument placement, wheel positions, body size)

• still fully Articulating

• less Flop (improved tolerances)

• reduced parts
   
   

Overview Models

‘Small’ and ‘Large’ are the originals from NASA. ‘New’ is my updated model.

approximate values
get the original ‘Small’ & ‘Large’ NASA models here. 
 

Print Settings:

Layer Height:   max. 0.16mm

‘New’ Model Print List:

• new_6mm-pin.stl                               x 17

• new_tire_wheel.stl                              x 6 (supports)

• new_wheel-svivel.stl                          x 4

• new_steering-bracket.stl                   x 4

• new_mounting-bracket.stl                x 2

• new_body.stl                                        x 1

• new_chemcam.stl                               x 1

• new_lower-arm.stl                              x 1

• new_lower-suspension-p1-left.stl     x 1 (supports)

• new_lower-suspension-p1-right.stl  x 1 (supports)

• new_upper-arm.stl                              x 1

• new_upper-suspension-p1-left.stl     x 1 (supports)

• new_upper-suspension-p1-right.stl  x 1 (supports)

• new_mahli-apxs.stl                             x 1 (supports)

• new_swivel-bracket.stl                       x 1

• new_swivel.stl                                      x 1

Instructions (derived from the original NASA models, needs update sorry):

Educational & Credits

* [NASA Mars 2020 Mission Page]
* [JPL Perseverance Facts]

Partners

Official Museum Partner: Jan Paagman Sterrenwacht (Asten, Netherlands).
Sales of this model at the observatory shop directly support their 
educational facilities and astronomy programs.

We support STEM education! 
Are you a museum, planetarium, or educational institution looking to use or sell this model? 
Please contact me at manu[at]enso.berlin.

Build the Fleet:
Mars Rover: Perseverance
Mars Helicopter: Ingenuity