MMX "IDEFIX" Phobos Rover 1:10 model

The Japanese Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission is scheduled to launch during summer 2024. In addition to its science payload (including a sample return system!) it will bring to the surface of Mars’ moon Phobos a small rover designed by the French (CNES) and German (DLR) space agencies.
This very kawaii microwave-sized spacecraft will continue the legacy begun by MASCOT, a small French-German lander that explored the Ryugu asteroid as part of JAXA’s Hayabusa 2 mission.


The 3D model was prepared based on illustrations and details publicly available on the websites and in publications of the different agencies, I am not affiliated to CNES, DLR or JAXA.
The 1:10 scale makes for a rather simple and small but representative (and cute) model, while being easy to assemble and print using any common 3D printer.


Many details can be found on the CNES and DLR websites, for instance:

• Article en français sur le site du CNES
• PDF article in English

Print instructions

The assembled model is approximately 110x95x45mm and it took me approximately 2h15 to print all the pieces on my Prusa MK2.5S.

The biggest piece (“WhiteSilverBlue_MainBody_x1.stl”) is 38x42x24mm, therefore this model is printable even on the smallest build plates.

The color(s) are indicated as a prefix in the files name and the number of copies as a suffix (e.g. for "BlackSilverBlue_SAPanelSides_x2.stl”, 2 copies of the piece must be printed, with black then sliver then blue filament).

The 3 solar arrays and the main body are designed to be printed in multiple colors by inserting pauses in the gcode (most slicers have this feature) and changing the filament manually.

The wheels are fixed and do not turn due to the size of the model.

The different pieces are designed for FDM printers and around a layer height of 0.2mm and a nozzle diameter of 0.4mm. No support is needed.

The tolerances used are 0.2mm vertically and at least 0.07mm in-plane to provide a snug fit (keep that in mind if you want to rescale the model!). If the tolerances are not accessible to your printer (or your printer is better tuned than mine 😉) you may have to use sandpaper or a hobby knife to adjust them until they fit and/or use glue.

Assembly is pretty straightforward; I included a little montage of the main steps as a picture.

Note that pieces with a R/L in the name are mirrored versions of each other. This does not indicate on which side of the model they must be assembled.