DIY model of Hera designed by Paolo Concari, built using LEGO® bricks

This Hera model made in LEGO® bricks is a scaled-down version of the realistic spacecraft (while also including Hera’s pet dinosaur) which was designed by Hera communication system engineer Paolo Concari in his spare time. After a hard day of working on the spacecraft’s communication system Paolo would go home to resume work on his brick-built equivalent of Hera.

Paolo explains what inspired him to create the model: “While working on the Hera mission, I came across a model of the spacecraft made with LEGO® bricks that someone had created and shared online. But because I know Hera by heart, I couldn’t help but notice some inaccuracies, as well as key details missing – that’s how I got the idea to create a more true-to-life version.”

For the seasoned engineer, used to bringing real space missions to life, this was the first time recreating one using LEGO® bricks. He designed the tiny Hera in a 3D modelling tool called STUDIO 2.0 – a program made specifically for LEGO® brick models.

“Creating the model was actually the easiest part – it was the instructions that gave me the most trouble,” Paolo notes. “The whole process was a learning curve, from figuring out how to create the CAD model, to learning how to use Photoshop and bind the assembly instruction booklet.

“When designing a model using the available LEGO® bricks, you need to be extra creative. For example, if you look closely, you will see that the thrusters on the side of the model are actually tiny binoculars!”

As with any space mission, this version of Hera underwent rigorous testing: “My children offered to help and provided me with some very valuable feedback, like when they spotted a mistake in the instructions or found certain steps too complicated.”

The resulting 98-piece model, roughly 280 times smaller than the real Hera, is not just a toy – the mission team has also used it to recreate in their hands the various manoeuvres the real spacecraft would be making.

Want to build it? Download the assembly instructions here and the list of bricks needed here. As a finishing touch, add these solar panel stickers and mission logo.

Hera is ESA’s first planetary defence mission, on its way to visit the first asteroid to have had its orbit altered by human action. By gathering close-up data about the Dimorphos asteroid, which was impacted by NASA’s DART spacecraft in 2022, Hera will help turn asteroid deflection into a well understood and potentially repeatable technique.

DISCLAIMER: LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorise or endorse this project.