LEGO features in ESA lab product news

Lab product news from the European Space Agency (ESA) reveals an unlikely solution to visualising the flight path of the Rosetta comet chaser.

Scientists at the ESA needed to be able to demonstrate the flight and functions of the Rosetta Lander during discussions.

To do so, they built a replica of the space vehicle - out of LEGO.

With the LEGO MINDSTORMS kit, they were able to replicate characteristics of the lander such as its ice screws that anchor it to the surface of a comet and its top-mounted rocket booster that holds it down while the drills work.

The lander is due to reach the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko in late 2014, giving the real-life versions of the systems the chance to be put to work.

Previous lab product news from the ESA has reported the construction of a LEGO version of the craft that is due to carry the Rosetta Lander to the comet.

The ESA says that developing innovative spacecraft is a core element of its operations, along with international collaboration on a global scale.