6 months ago

This video series explores how to 3d print and assemble a very complex 3d model of a real object. In this case, the SpaceX Starship Rocket, Super Heavy Booster, and Launch Tower:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Starship
It's the most powerful rocket every built and is designed to be completely and (eventually) rapidly reused.

I do a lot of public outreach about space exploration through my astronomy club. I've found it much more effective to have 3d models of things I'm explaining than just showing people pictures.

I knew I needed to have a 3d model of this rocket to connect with the public at future events. I thought about designing my own, but I decided it would be better to buy an already designed model and print that. That would be a lot faster than starting from scratch. I chose the 1:200 scale MoreThan3d version:
https://morethan3d.com/product/space-models/spaceship-booster-olm-olit-xs3/
At 1:200th scale, after some disassembly, it will fit in a box so I can transport it to events.

Here's what part of the series covers:
Part 1: Selection of design and MoreThan3d website
Part 2: Printing and assembly of Orbital Launch Tower, Launch Mount, and Base
Part 3: Printing and assembly of Super Heavy Booster
Part 4: Printing and assembly of Starship upper stage
Part 5: Wrap up: total cost, total print and assembly time, and suggests for improvements to the design (some I plan to do myself by modifying the 3d model with editing tools).

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Other 3d Space Models I offer in my Etsy Store:
An interactive scale model of Perseverance, the Mars Rover along with a similarly scaled Ingenuity Mars Helicopter:
https://betacygnidesigns.etsy.com/listing/1654721546/mars-perseverance-rover-ingenuity
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A larger scale model of Ingenuity, the Mars Helicopter:
https://betacygnidesigns.etsy.com/listing/1054679983/ingenuity-the-mars-helicopter-scale
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A life-sized replica of the Mars Rover Perseverance Core Sample Tube #266:
https://betacygnidesigns.etsy.com/listing/1089550766/mars-rover-perseverance-core-sample-tube
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A Zoomed-In Jezero Crater Mars 3D Terrain Model - Where the rover Perseverance landed and Ingenuity Flew:
https://betacygnidesigns.etsy.com/listing/1113924295/jezero-crater-mars-3d-terrain-model
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SpaceX Starship Heat Shield Tile Replica - 1/3 Scale (1:3)
https://betacygnidesigns.etsy.com/listing/1765218155/spacex-starship-heat-shield-tile-replica
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1U CubeSat - Fully Assembled Life Sized (1:1) Model - Cutaway Sides with Simulated Printed Circuit Boards, Solar Panels, and Camera
https://betacygnidesigns.etsy.com/listing/1754006658/1u-cubesat-fully-assembled-life-sized-11
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These are the spatulas I used to help remove the pieces from the print bed:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075SLTY8B/
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These are the tweezers I used to help remove dripping filament from the print head:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0845SKD7Z/
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This is the wire brass brush I use to clean the nozzle tip:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J2BS92S/
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Flashforge Guider II on the Flashforge Website:
https://www.flashforge.com/product-detail/flashforge-guider-2-3d-printer
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OpenSCAD website:
https://www.openscad.org/
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I used Simplify3D slicer software:
https://www.simplify3d.com/
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Link to my Etsy Store:
https://betacygnidesigns.etsy.com/
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End Screen Video Acknowledgement: Cosmic Reef Video produced by NASA and the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI).
https://hubblesite.org/contents/media/videos/2020/16/1277-Video