#LEGO and NASA collaborated to design this stunningly realistic and functional Perseverance Mars Rover replica

I’m not sure what’s more impressive – whether the fact that the Perseverance Rover mission cost NASA a whopping $1.08 billion dollars, or whether LEGO Technic managed to make a functional version of the rover with just 1,132 bricks, and a price tag of $99.99. Launched (not literally) in collaboration with NASA, the LEGO® Technic™ NASA Mars Rover Perseverance model measures a little over 12 inches long, and features 360° steering, a movable arm, and a fully articulated suspension system that lets the rover travel across uneven surfaces on all 6 wheels. Designed as a STEM toy to help children get excited about the prospect of space engineering and travel, the rover also comes with an AR experience that lets kids explore the rover and its red-planet home in full detail.

Designer: LEGO

Just like most LEGO Technic builds, the Mars Rover Perseverance model is a pretty well-detailed build, featuring precisely designed pieces that come together to make the rover’s intricate design. Standing at 9-inches tall, the Rover is adjustable, can move on any sort of terrain (making it perfect for playing around on a desk), and even comes with the miniature Ingenuity helicopter, which accompanied the rover to Mars.

“Working on this model has been both challenging and exciting” said Luke Cragin, Designer at the LEGO Group. “I’ve always felt passionate about space, and the design process let me explore my interest as I recreated the incredible engineering developed by the pioneering team at NASA. We hope the model’s features and functions will help introduce young space lovers to the world of engineering and encourage them to reach for the stars in the future.”

The brick-based rover model will also be accompanied by a holistic AR experience on the Technic app, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore fascinating and informative material that delves into the actual rover and its purpose on the red planet. “Through the app it’s also possible to pull an overview of the weather on Mars on demand or learn about the environment and the rover’s mission,” LEGO says. The LEGO® Technic™ NASA Mars Rover Perseverance model goes on sale starting June 1st, with a $99.99 price tag.