The NASA model building thread

[Bubbinski]

Nice job on the Dragon and the Apollo 13 stack.

I'm getting started on the Airfix Vostok kit (1/144 LV), will make it as a Soyuz LV.

[rocketguy101]

Finally got to launch my SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon (our May launch was cancelled due to high winds).  Nice model, nice flight (B6-4 motor).   I hear SpaceX will make some more available on Amazon

[Bubbinski]

Cool, that Falcon 9 looks very realistic.  I had a little disaster with the wrap on mine and may get another one.

Anyway, here's a couple of pics of my Airfix 1/144 Soyuz build.  Still in work.

[Bubbinski]

And here's a pic from tonight.

[manboy]

I'm building palm-sized model in AutoCAD and I'm wondering if anyone has any positives experience with any 3D printer services?

You share it on thingiverse and I will print it for you free of charge, you just pay shipping.

I'm not sure if I'm comfortable uploading it onto thingiverse. But thank you for the offer.

[Prober]

I'm building palm-sized model in AutoCAD and I'm wondering if anyone has any positives experience with any 3D printer services?

You share it on thingiverse and I will print it for you free of charge, you just pay shipping.

I'm not sure if I'm comfortable uploading it onto thingiverse. But thank you for the offer.

Best to do much research for your comfort level;  or you might end up paying the price of what a hobby 3D printer for the home might cost. 

You might do a cheap 1st run by posting in the hobby market
http://forums.reprap.org/list.php?163

edit: added link

[manboy]

I'm building palm-sized model in AutoCAD and I'm wondering if anyone has any positives experience with any 3D printer services?

You share it on thingiverse and I will print it for you free of charge, you just pay shipping.

I'm not sure if I'm comfortable uploading it onto thingiverse. But thank you for the offer.

Best to do much research for your comfort level;  or you might end up paying the price of what a hobby 3D printer for the home might cost. 

You might do a cheap 1st run by posting in the hobby market
http://forums.reprap.org/list.php?163

edit: added link

I've already done some research and it looks like two copies of my model will only cost me about $60. The reason why I didn't want to upload it onto thingverse was because I didn't want my idea to be in the public domain (although if I ever finish my model of Dragon then I'll probably upload that).

[Downix]

I'm building palm-sized model in AutoCAD and I'm wondering if anyone has any positives experience with any 3D printer services?

You share it on thingiverse and I will print it for you free of charge, you just pay shipping.

I'm not sure if I'm comfortable uploading it onto thingiverse. But thank you for the offer.

Best to do much research for your comfort level;  or you might end up paying the price of what a hobby 3D printer for the home might cost. 

You might do a cheap 1st run by posting in the hobby market
http://forums.reprap.org/list.php?163

edit: added link

I've already done some research and it looks like two copies of my model will only cost me about $60. The reason why I didn't want to upload it onto thingverse was because I didn't want my idea to be in the public domain (although if I ever finish my model of Dragon then I'll probably upload that).

You could do it on GrabCAD instead, which allows you finer control over copyright release.

[rocketguy101]

Cool, that Falcon 9 looks very realistic.  I had a little disaster with the wrap on mine and may get another one.

Anyway, here's a couple of pics of my Airfix 1/144 Soyuz build.  Still in work.

nice!   here is a great tutorial on applying that wrap http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=10456&highlight=wrap

[Bubbinski]

Thanks Rocketguy.  I'd applied the wrap from the edge, and now I know better.

Anyway, here's the latest pic of the Soyuz.  I just finished the boosters a few minutes ago.

[Bubbinski]

OK just got finished with my 1/144 Airfix Soyuz LV.  Here it's next to my 1/144 Atlantis and Saturn V stacks.  Pretty sad and pathetic that the Soyuz is the only one flying right now.  I look forward to the day when I can build a new US crewed launch vehicle that is flying and set it next to these rockets.

[Perijove]

Hello everyone,

I recently came across this site and thought you all might enjoy some of the NASA/JPL/etc LEGO models I have created.  I have seen many impressive builds in this thread.  I especially like the papercraft stuff.

First, is my 1:20 scale model of the Mars Science Laboratory "Curiosity" Rover.  I have submitted it to the LEGO CUUSOO website, http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/3431, where it has the chance to become a real LEGO set if it gets enough support (so feel free to add your own vote!).  It has a working rocker-bogie suspension system and has been a great tool for my own educational outreach efforts.  You can find more images on my flickr page including a Powered Descent Vehicle to accompany the Rover. 

Curiosity Rover: http://www.flickr.com/photos/65402716@N07/sets/72157627997956311/

Powered Descent Vehicle: http://www.flickr.com/photos/65402716@N07/sets/72157629384985918/

I also recently finished a model of my favorite spacecraft, Voyager 2, at the same scale, which you can also see on flickr.

Voyager 2: http://www.flickr.com/photos/65402716@N07/sets/72157630068225421/

Lastly, are some of my smaller models of all the mars rovers and the Orbital Sciences Corporation Pegasus rocket. 

Mars Rovers: http://www.flickr.com/photos/65402716@N07/sets/72157629961219532/

Pegasus Rocket: http://www.flickr.com/photos/65402716@N07/sets/72157630045518271/

[topopesto]

Another nice picture that shows the model in its completeness and detail.

[Paper Kosmonaut]

The last couple days I have been working on this little legendary (or, if you will, notorious) bird. I used glossy silver card paper for the hull, some other types of paper for the engine bells and capsule. The escape tower is made from brass rods and cut off pieces of pins. Scale is 1/96. It still amazes me to see how it gets dwarfed by all its successors - and that there only were six somewhat years between this Atlas and the Saturn V.

[Paper Kosmonaut]

... And then I decided to also make Alan Shepard's Redstone. Also paper, 1/96. Tiny rocket.

[topopesto]

Between the models I'm working on now, there is also the MLP which was used for the Shuttle. Someone could help me to detail the SIDE 1 of the platform? Photographs or drawings are fine.

[rocketguy101]

... And then I decided to also make Alan Shepard's Redstone. Also paper, 1/96. Tiny rocket.

Considering the tanks of the Saturn 1 first stage are Redstone tanks around a Jupiter core, puts the thing in perspective!!!

[Bubbinski]

Some nice work on the Lego Curiosity, the Mercury Redstone & Atlas, the HTV, the shuttle launch pad.

Today I stopped by the hobby shop to get some paint and found something unexpected....a Dragon 1/72 Saturn V!  I had begun to regret not getting one despite holding out for the kit, and I had the money so I got it.  I'm not going to assemble it right away, rather I'm going to figure out how to make it look really good.  And maybe assemble it with the Apollo 10 cutaway (LEM shown underneath the CSM).

[Paper Kosmonaut]

Considering the tanks of the Saturn 1 first stage are Redstone tanks around a Jupiter core, puts the thing in perspective!!!

Indeed! I compared it to the tanks of the two Saturn 1 versions I have. (SA-1 and SA-5) It fits. And I also have a Juno II in the rocket garden, so the foundations of the Saturn 1 theoretically are all aboard now. Incredibly inventive, if you ask me. Cluster's Last Stand. Ha!

Up next: a small MSL diorama in 1/48.

[manboy]

Some models at the NewSpace 2012. The models include Dragon docked to a BA-330, Shenzhou docked to Tiangong-1, CST-100, Excalibur Almaz spacecraft, Blue Origin space vehicle, DreamChaser, Soyuz and SpaceShipTwo with WhiteKnightTwo. Photo taken by Steve Jurvetson.