NASA 3D Prints Meteorite Replica From Mars "Block Island"

We may be a good decade or so away from having samples of the Martian planet sent back to earth, but that doesn't mean we can't get a decent look and feel of a meteorite from Mars. NASA has 3D printed out a replica of a meteorite found on the red planet. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has 3D printed a replica of "Block Island," a well known meteorite found on Mars back in 2009.

The Meteorite is the largest ever found on Mars, since we have been exploring the red planet from afar. It consists of nickel and iron, and is approximately 2 feet long. Scientists estimate that it may weigh upwards of 1000 pounds.

Reserachers have reconstructed "Block Island," from plastic extruded from a 3D printer. The model used to make the replica was dervived from Opportunity's panoramic camera images. This is quite a massive piece so it took NASA over 305 minutes to print it out in 11 different pieces before putting it all together.

Check out the 3D printed version of the of the martian meteorite below.
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/...4x3yzetwyv.jpg