Introduction: Building Your Rover
In our last lesson, we learned about the Cutebot. Now, we will begin a new project: transforming your Cutebot into a planetary rover. A rover is a vehicle designed to move across the surface of a planet or moon to study it.
Scientists and engineers send rovers to places where humans cannot easily travel, such as the Moon or Mars. China has sent two famous rovers into space: the Yutu (Jade Rabbit) rover to the Moon and the Zhurong rover to Mars. These rovers help us discover new things about our solar system.
In this chapter, we will begin assembling the main body of our own Cutebot rover.
Scientists and engineers send rovers to places where humans cannot easily travel, such as the Moon or Mars. China has sent two famous rovers into space: the Yutu (Jade Rabbit) rover to the Moon and the Zhurong rover to Mars. These rovers help us discover new things about our solar system.
In this chapter, we will begin assembling the main body of our own Cutebot rover.
A. Kit Set Parts List
Before we begin building, it is important to check that we have all the necessary components. This process is called an inventory check. It ensures we don't have to stop in the middle of our project to find a missing part.
Below is a table listing all the parts in your Cutebot Rover Kit. Carefully check your kit to make sure you have everything.
Below is a table listing all the parts in your Cutebot Rover Kit. Carefully check your kit to make sure you have everything.
Part name and Quantity:
- Cutebot car + Micro:bit (1)
- Cutebot car main shell (1)
- Top hat design (choose 1 only): Mars rover (Zhurong) or Moon rover (Yutu)
- Aluminium foil tape (1 roll shared between 4-5 students)
- Hooks & Loops tape (魔術貼) (1 roll shared between 4-5 students)
- 2x4 pin header extender (10)
- Screws (4)
- Rover wheels assembly (1 pair)
- Solar panel sticker (maximum of 2 sheets per student)
B. Preparing the Main Shell
The main shell will serve as the body of our rover. We will apply a special tape to it.
1. Apply Aluminium Tape to the Main Shell
Take the main white plastic shell and the roll of aluminium foil tape. Carefully wrap the tape around the outside of the shell, covering it completely. The tape gives the rover a metallic, spacecraft-like appearance.
1. Apply Aluminium Tape to the Main Shell
Take the main white plastic shell and the roll of aluminium foil tape. Carefully wrap the tape around the outside of the shell, covering it completely. The tape gives the rover a metallic, spacecraft-like appearance.
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2. Cut Off Excess Foil
Important: This step requires adult supervision. Please ask your teacher for help.
Once the shell is covered, you will notice extra tape hanging off the edges. You will now carefully use a pair of scissors to trim the excess foil away. This creates a clean, neat finish for your rover's body.
Important: This step requires adult supervision. Please ask your teacher for help.
Once the shell is covered, you will notice extra tape hanging off the edges. You will now carefully use a pair of scissors to trim the excess foil away. This creates a clean, neat finish for your rover's body.
Creases in aluminum foil are normal. Make sure to tidy up the table and throw away any rubbish afterwards.