Step-by-Step Guide to Create your own NASA VIPER Moon Rover for the VIPER Outreach Program using the Little Bits Rover Kit.

Supplies

Cardboard or Card Stock ( 2ft x 2ft at least for easy assembly)
Exacto Knife or Scissors
Reflective Tissue Paper (Emergency Blanket also works)
Pen or Pencil
Scotch Tape
Aluminum Tape
Ruler
Hot Glue Gun
Glue Stick
Large Googly Eyes
Little Bits Rover Kit**

**Alternatively, one may also create a chassis from cardboard rather than utilizing the Little Bits Rover Kit Chassis. The circuitry kit can also be bought seperately.

Step 1: Base Kit Build

Using the Little Bits kit, create the base model for the rover depicted by completing the following steps:

Space Rover Inventor Kit Rover Base
Complete Video Steps 1-9 (base 1-8)
Complete Video Steps 16-27(base 15-26 )
Space Rover Kit Add ons
Complete Video Steps 1-16 (all bases except 14)

Step 2: Rover Structure

Using the Dimensions provided, measure and cut out the rover structure using an exacto knife. The areas marked with a solid line will be folded and the dashed lines will be cut. For easier folding, the top layer of cardboard was carefully cut.

Step 3: Mylar & MLI

Using the reflective tissue paper, wrap the cut carboard like a present and tape down any edges. Once Complete, join the corners of the box using aluminum tape or scotch tape. (Hot glue is structural but may melt the mylar)

Step 4: Repeat for the Mast and Drill Cover

Repeat the previous steps to create the Drill cover and Wrap like a present in the mylar.

Step 5: More Layering

Cover the remaining structure in mylar. The aluminum tape works best for tis step given the geometry. Be mindful of the pass-thru holes located on the vehicle that will be needed for future demos - after applying the tape I poked these through again with a pen.

Step 6: VIPER Jr

Using the Little Bits Rover Mast/Antenna, drape mylar over the box and wrap like present. Aluminum tape was used on the dowel. Feel free to add googly eyes and a smile for personality