Satellite

One day I was browsing the internet and doing some basic research on satellites and was intrigued by their design and the flawless manner in which they orbit our planet. Considering that there was no obvious way to obtain a satellite for myself I decided to make a model of a satellite of my own imagination that I can showcase.

The construction of the model makes use of both 3D printed parts as well as a combination of other materials such as plastics and metals. The decision to make use of other materials was based on the higher level of detail that I wished to obtain. However, the parts which were not 3D printed have been designed and is available for anyone who wishes to print this model.

I hope this inspires many space lovers out there as it did me.

UPDATE: 24/03/18

Added the 3D part files for the sections of the satellite that were not initially printed. The whole model can now be entirely printed and assembled,

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

Prusa

Printer: 

Prusa Steel

Rafts:

No

Supports: 

No

Resolution:

0.1mm

Infill: 

20%

Notes:

Cooling was used as most of the parts that were printed were small in size and were thus prone to deformation as there was little time for the layers to cool before it moved on to the next.

Post-Printing

Parts were sanded using sandpaper of varying grit to obtain the wanted level of smoothness. 

The model was constructed using a piece of metal tube which formed the main body of the satellite. The top and bottom of the body were both 3D printed parts. The thin rods were made from pieces of aluminium rod. The frame supports of the rods at the bottom of the satellite were also 3D printed as was the cross at the top of the satellite and the tip of the solar panels. The solar panels were made from strips of plastic and decals were printed and stuck to the strips to create a realistic look.

The top assembly of the satellite was constructed from a piece of wood sanded into a hexagonal shape. A hexagonal frame was constructed by soldering together pieces of copper wire and was fixed to the wooden hexagon using strands of wire. miscellaneous parts were added to the wooden hexagon to create the look of instrumentation. Dishes were constructed from pieces of plastic spoons and the metallic wing-like structures were made from 1mm aluminium sheet bent at regular intervals.

The model was assembled using cyanoacrylate and to give the model the final look of a satellite ready for space orbit I air brushed the model a metallic silver. To display the completed model I constructed a stand from some scrap pieces of acrylic I had lying around.

How I Designed This

I used Solidworks to create the 3D printed parts. The remaining parts were made from scrap materials and electronics I had lying around.

Category: Vehicles