Exploring other planets by means of small self-propelled robots is no longer only for scientists. From today children and adults all over the world can join a mission to Mars and remotely control a LEGO Mars Rover across an authentic Martian landscape. Four so-called “Mars Stations” are already built at locations around the world – and it is planned to set up as many as 20 over the next few months. Each station is an exact copy of a landscape on Mars, and by means of an ordinary web browser children and adults can control the LEGO Rover, drive it around and receive pictures from the tiny camera mounted on the vehicle. Precisely as NASA scientists will do when the first Mars Rover lands on schedule on the Red Planet in January 2004.

The Mars Stations are being set up in collaboration with The Planetary Society, the world’s largest non-commercial organisation devoted to the exploration of our solar system.

Mars Station in Hawaii
Bruce Betts of The Planetary Society says: “I am delighted that the LEGO Company is supporting this project. Space research promotes creativity, imagination and learning – precisely the values the LEGO Company stands for. Having such a world-famous organisation as the LEGO Company onboard this project helps us reach a new target group – namely, children, who may not otherwise be interested in space research.”

The first four Mars Stations are sited at The Planetary Society’s headquarters in Pasadena, California, USA; Centro de Astrobiloga in Madrid, Spain; Bishop Museum, Hawaii; and Marshal University, West Virginia, USA.

One driver at a time
The software controlling the various rover vehicles has been developed by The Planetary Society, and permits only one driver at a time to control the Rover.

Says Emily Lakdawalla of The Planetary Society, who has been involved in developing the software: “When a user logs in to one of the Rovers and drives it, the session is subject to a variable time limit. The next user in the queue, however, can already observe on screen the pictures taken by the camera and can also communicate with the current driver.”

Brad Justus of the LEGO Company says: “For decades, children all over the world have been building spaceships, etc., with LEGO bricks. So it is only natural that we support this project, which really does put children in the driving seat and gives them the chance to apply their imagination and creativity – while at the same time having fun.”

To drive a LEGO Mars Rover simply point your browser at this address:
http://redrovergoestomars.org/drive.html

For further information, please contact:

The LEGO Company
Thomas Reil
Corporate Communications
Telephone: +45 79 50 63 81
E-mail: thomas.reil@europe.lego.com

or

The LEGO Company
Teresa Martini
Telephone: 001-917-213-5117
E-mail: teresa.martini@america.lego.com