In 2009, scientists made a fascinating discovery on Mars using the panoramic camera aboard the Mars rover Opportunity. They spotted an unusual rock that caught their attention. This mysterious object, later named "Block Island," became the subject of intense study.
The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) team, responsible for operating the rover, captured detailed images of the rock and sent them back to Earth. To analyze it more closely, the rover drove over Block Island and then retreated 820 inches to its edge. The robotic arm of the rover finally touched the rock, allowing for further investigation.
Block Island measured about 2 feet in length and half a foot in height, with a striking metallic blue color that set it apart from other rocks in the region. Further analysis revealed that it was actually a meteorite composed of iron and nickel. Some parts of its surface showed signs of friction, sanding, and wind erosion, indicating that it had been on Mars for a long time.
Inspired by this discovery, JPL decided to create a 3D-printed replica of Block Island using their Dimension 3D printer. The result was a highly realistic model that matched the Martian meteorite in detail, despite being millions of kilometers away from its original location.
This marked the first extraterrestrial object ever captured in 3D by NASA’s Mars rover. All data used for the printing process was accurately measured by the rover, showcasing the potential for future missions to create detailed models of Mars' terrain and objects. This development could pave the way for more advanced exploration and understanding of our solar system.
To produce the 3D model, researchers used software typically used for navigating rover vehicles. They created depth mesh images from six different angles and combined them into a 3D digital model. Since Block Island was larger than what the 3D printer could handle, the model was divided into 11 parts for printing.
The Dimension 3D printer took a total of 305 hours to complete the project. It used 281.11 cubic inches of acrylic thermoplastic material and 37.29 cubic inches of support plastic to form the internal structure of the model.
After printing, the parts were assembled and painted to match the colors captured in the rover's images. For the JPL team, this was a practical solution since bringing actual Martian rock samples back to Earth is currently impossible.
This achievement highlights the growing role of 3D printing in space exploration and offers a new way to study and understand the geology of other planets.
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