SPACE IN MINIATURE

This is a transport vehicle for personnel working in the asteroid belt as well as smaller planetoids and moons throughout our solar system. It is sturdily constructed and has a very high thrust-to-weight ratio. Since it is basically a personnel transporter, it meets the basic needs of its crew and passengers and that's it. Eighty percent of the vehicle's mass ispure water, contained in the large spherical tanks. The water is converted into its basic elements using electrolytic generators. The hydrogen is stored in small special tanks and used as fuel; the oxygen is used for life support and combustion reaction when the main engine is ignited.

The idea for this model came from one of Robert McCall's art books that I had gotten back in the late 60's/early 70's. It contained a lot of artistiv renderings depicting life in the solar system during the alte 20th and early 21st centuries.

ABOUT THE MODEL

The model was built using a large plastic lens from a hanging wall clock as well as a bunch of clear 3-inch diamter plastic shells spheres purchased from a local Michael's craft store. I got an interesting texture and paint pattern on the spheres by first painting them a dark grey. Then I stretched a mesh lint catcher net used with washing machines over the spheres and oversprayed them with flat white. Once the paint was almost dry, I pulled the mesh off, revealing a nice surface pattern with a rough-to-the-touch feel.

The central "bunker" living quarters and airlock assembly are built from a very large crayon sharpener and a small plastic tea cup "borrowed" from my neice's tea set. The outer surface of the living quarters (the central cylinder) was covered with thin aluminum foil (taken from chocolates consumed during the building of the model). The foil stuck to the plastic very well with gel super glue. The upper airlock from which one of the astronauts is emerging has been completely detailed on the interior with tanks, valves, spacesuit racks and other gear. The upper hatch opens and closes. The vehicle also has a telescoping antenna made from brass tubing and wire.

This model was a fun one, even though trying to get proper components in scale with each other was a bit of a challenge.

Image: Inspiration

Image: Close-up of the airlock detail

Image: Center section. Note the candy-wrapper insulation.

Image: Underneath, showing the main engine bell.

Image: Lint trap as masking device.