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Gamla Model Makers was
commissioned by National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) to provide 20, and later -
5 more 1:100
scale models of International Space Station
(ISS) for NASA Headquarters and three Space
Centers.
Modeling an
actual spacecraft is one of the toughest
challenges for model maker. Complex subjects
such as space stations and satellites are
usually consisting of large modules connected
with fingernail size joints as the spacecraft
exists in an environment with no atmosphere and
no gravity. Models of spacecraft, however,
should withstand the gravity, therefore they
should be heavily reinforced. Never before
our crew was so inventive in order to represent
the ISS realistically, highly detailed and to
make it durable and properly functioning.
The models
represent the latest configuration of
International Space Station identified as
"Approved configuration as of July 2008" and
full set of active logistics vehicles, including
Space Shuttle, CEV "Orion", ATV "Jules Verne",
JAXA HTV and Russian "Soyuz TM" and "Progress"
orbital ships. All logistics vehicles along with
selected modules (MLM, MRM1, MRM2, MPLM, Mobile
Servicing Base with Canadarm manipulator) were
produced as separate components which are
attaching to a space station through magnetic
connection. Having separate logistics vehicles
and modules allows to demonstrate multiple
reconfiguration and docking options.
In addition to
separate components we made a number of
components articulating. End truss
segments, each one of main solar arrays and HRS
radiators are rotating. Mobile Servicing Base is
sliding along the central truss segments. All
major robotic arms are articulating in multiple
points as well.
Actual
fabrication of the model took over a year. After
first four models were produced and tested in
the field we had to upgrade reinforcement and
articulation points and replace several
components with modified ones in order to
achieve required durability and functionality.
We created a full
set of digital tooling for the entire model
including logistics vehicles and separate
components and massively
used SLA and other rapid prototyping techniques.
Our 3D digital model reflects the experience of
building the ISS models, contains the most
effective reinforcement and articulation
features, has enormous level of detailing and
will allow us to produce additional models in
1:100 or any other scale fast and effective.
We designed fully
custom
transit case to store each model and
protect them during transportation. A case
has a main compartment to store the model itself
and detachable bottom compartment for separate
components, a base and a set of tools required
to assemble/disassemble and to maintain the
model.
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