3D printing your own remote-controlled Mars Rover

This DIY project is out of this world!

Over the last couple of months, we’ve seen a number of objects successfully 3D-printed in zero-gravity by our friends at Made In Space in collaboration with NASA. These efforts are mere proof that 3D printing applications will soon transcend beyond just simple tools and small components, bringing us one step closer to future manned missions to Mars. Aside from professional endeavors, Makers have also taken part in exploring extraterrestrial use cases, ranging from an intergalactic-bound printer that could potentially enhance self-sufficiency for astronauts to autonomous bots capable of extruding in hostile environments using materials it finds.

And, if using additive manufacturing to create entire communities and sustain life in space are within reach, surely a 3D-printed rover is pretty realistic as well. Inspired by NASA’s Curiosity Rover, Maker Josef Vladik has built his own 3D-printed Mars Rover using a RepRap Rebel 2 and an Arduino Mega (ATmega2560).

Controlled by a standard 4CH transmitter, the device features four standard channels, a 2S or 3S lithium polymer battery and 9G servos with metal gear modded for 360 degrees of rotation. Beyond that, the rover precisely traverses the terrain using its nine compact wheels, while mounted LED floodlights round out its realistic appearance from both the front and back.