Blueprints can be downloaded from the European Space Agency website (http://www.esa.int) by looking in the multimedia section (http://esamultimedia.esa.int/images/spcs/goodies/models/mars_express_model_kit.pdf).

The blueprints can be printed on a colour printer, glued to thin cardboard and then assembled.

Mars Express is Europe's first solo exploration of another planet.

It comprises the Mars Express orbiter which is carrying a small British-built lander, Beagle-2, which will look for signs of life on the Martian surface.

Beagle-2 is due to arrive on Mars on December 25.

SPACE.WIRE