Image: Stephen Pakbaz
Stephen Pakbaz has worked on the actual Mars Curiosity rover, so designing it in LEGO is probably a cinch for the mechanical engineer:
"I combined this first-hand experience with my Lego hobby to create a Lego model that was as faithful to the actual rover as possible in terms of accuracy, details and mechanical function," says designer Stephen Pakbaz, a mechanical engineer who worked on Curiosity at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. The model has a working suspension system, an articulated arm and a poseable mast for recreating your favourite events in Curiosity's ongoing mission.
Now, LEGO has approved the release of the official Mars Curiosity Rover LEGO set. Ain't that awesome?
Lisa Grossman of NewScientist has the story: Link