Manned Mars Rover Ugears

The Manned Mars Rover features a rear storage bay for tools, equipment, or rock samples. Open it up to reveal the ratchet key used to wind the spring motor. On the left rear panel, you’ll find a Start/Stop switch—set it to "Stop" before winding, then flip it to "Start" and watch your rover head off to explore the red planet. Try setting up a Martian obstacle course and see how the six wheels, with independent suspension, absorb bumps while the rubberised treads provide extra grip.

Laser-engraved details add realism throughout—check out the cab's dashboard and the solar panels on top of the hatch. You can also add the official NASA insignia sticker to the rover’s right panel. In use since 1959, this emblem includes a blue sphere representing a planet, a red chevron for aeronautics, white orbital lines, and stars symbolising space. Used with permission from NASA.

NASA’s upcoming Artemis II mission, scheduled for launch in late 2024, aims to establish a permanent lunar outpost—one step closer to a crewed mission to Mars. If that happens, we’ll need reliable transport. Just like the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) enabled Apollo 15 astronauts to travel further and collect vital samples, the Manned Mars Rover imagines the next evolution of space mobility. The original LRV—engineered by M.G. Bekker and Ferenc Pavlics—had to operate in extreme conditions, withstand micrometeoroid impacts, and survive 500°F temperature swings. Three of them are still parked on the moon!

This next-generation planetary rover is a DIY wooden model made from art-quality composite wood. Like all Ugears models, no glue or special tools are required—just press the laser-cut pieces out and assemble using the illustrated, step-by-step instructions. Lubricate and test moving parts as you build to ensure smooth operation. If any parts break, we’ll replace them free of charge.

The Ugears Manned Mars Rover is the big brother of our mini Mars Rover model and an exciting addition to our line-up of all-terrain vehicles. Collect them all, compare how they perform, and explore how different missions require different engineering solutions.