Mars Science Laboratory - Curiosity's Robotic Arm (Part 4)

With recent lunch breaks this week, I've managed to create the 3D model for Curiosity's wheels and I've started to model the robotic arm. I've got some rough dimensions and diagrams to work with, and these have proved useful. However, these diagrams only give basic lengths, nothing detailed about the size and shape of the actuators.

This is going to take a while to get the robotic arm right as I'll be using photos taken for tests at JPL. Then, once I'm happy with the robotic arm, I'll think about starting to 3D modelling the 'hand', which from pictures and diagrams looks very complicated.

Mars Science Laboratory - Curiosity (Part 3)

Yesterday, I started to 3D model the Mast Assembly on the Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity). This includes Mast Cameras and ChemCam.

I'll add the cabling in the final stages, as I don't have any detail drawings where the cables are fed. Next to do on the model is to add better details to the wheels. I was going to start on the arm, but, again, I don't have enough detailed diagrams and drawings to attempt it.

Why does Curiosity remind me of the film Short Circuit? Is Curiosity a pirate version of Johnny Five?

Mars Science Laboratory - Curiosity, Heat Shield and Backshell (Part 2)

I've manage to some 3D modelling done in my lunch breaks for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory. Curiosity now has the High Gain, UHF and Low Gain Antennas. I've also modelled a few of the components on the "Top Deck"

I've also modelled a basic Backshell and Heat Shield

Mars Science Laboratory - Curiosity (Part 1)

I've started to create the 3D Model of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) as I need a break from current projects. After searching NTRS and reading through a mountain of PDFs, eventually, I've found a couple of usable drawings. From these drawings, I've managed to bodge* something together. Actually, I'm quite pleased with the results.

*Bodge
verb
make or repair (something) badly or clumsily:

NASA Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) Engineering Drawings, 3Views, etc Required

I've spent the best part of this afternoon trying to get basic engineering/technical drawings (3-views, First hand, third hand drawing, etc) of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) and the Rover Curiosity from the internet. Normally I would find something in a PDF on NASA NTRS site, but sadly there is hardly anything there. At best I can find some good CAD isometric renders, or high quality movies and stills of the movie, but nothing really useful.

I have found these two, but they don't give me enough to start creating 3D models:

1-Cruise stage, 2- Backshell, 3- Descent stage, 4- Curiousity rover, 5- Heat Shield, 6- Parachute

Source: Wikipedia

Backshell and Heat Shield. Source: NASA.

Any help is most appreciated.

North American Aviation X-15A-2 Engineering Drawings

Various engineering drawings of the X-15A-2 available in the Download Resources. The set includes:

• 2581-931001 - Structure Diagram fuselage Advanced X-15A-2
• L9360001 - Pylon Support-Ramjet Engine (Design Layout)
• L9360002 - Scramjet and Pylon Installation X-15A-2
• L9480001 - X-15A-2 Liquid Hydrogen System

Bell X-1 Engineering Drawing

I've add an engineering drawing of the Bell X-1 (Sheet 44-700-002) to the Downloadable Resources.

North American Aviation X-15 - Leaked Photograph (Part 4)

Is this a leaked photograph taken from a F-104 over Edwards Airforce Base? Or an early release of a simulator on a series of popular mobile devices. You decide :)

North American Aviation X-15 - Cockpit Objects (Part 3)

I've now started to add more objects tothe cockpit of the  North American Aviation X-15 3D model. The camera location and angle is 'bodged' and the seat removed, so that you can see more of this cramped cockpit.

Shuttle Carrier Aircraft - Nose Landing Gear - Part 3

Slowly making progress creating NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft 3D model. The Nose Landing Gear is about 80% done.

You can see in the background the Main Landing Gear. This will be the next bunch of objects I'll work on for the SCA model.

[Edit]

Just noticed I've left the draft nose tires in the pictures. It's been along night...

North American Aviation X-15 - External View of the Cockpit (part 2)

I've been working on the North American Aviation X-15 cockpit (XLR-11 version) and this is a very small space for a pilot to work in. Thankfully it was a quick flight for the Test Pilots :)

As you can see most of the cockpit objects have been removed for clarity. When viewing the cockpit from an external viewpoint 3D, it will be a low polygon cockpit (has above). However, when sitting in the cockpit, it will be a high polygon 3D model (See Part 1). The aim is to have most of the instruments, dials and controls animated, but this is not confirmed. ;)

Bell X-1 3D model (Part1)

Another 3D model emerging from the Desktopsimmer Skunk Works: The Bell X-1. It's just a preliminary rough 3D model for later use. Earlier last month I came across some drawings on the t'internet whilst researching the XLR-11 engines and was itching to get something drawn.

Okay, I know that the Skunk Works is Lockheed Martin, not Bell ;)

North American Aviation X-15 (part 1)

Secretly, this is the hush-hush 3D Model project I've been working on, The North American Aviation X-15.

I'm modelling the X-15 with the XLR-11 engine, X-15 with XLR-99 engine and the X-15A-2 (both in white and pink colour schemes. So far I have the XLR-11 variant complete and now working on the XLR-99 variant. Here is the X-15 (66670) with the XLR-11 engines.

I've added a basic hangar, so I can create rendered views with various pieces of equipment surrounding the X-15.

I've started on texturing the cockpit and whilst gathering information, I've found out there was very little space in there. This is the XLR-11 version of the cockpit.

Of course you'll need a B-52 to launch this manned missile:

Some preliminary work on the X-15A-2 (66671), including fuel tanks

Battlestar Galactica Viper MkII

Back in 2009 I started 3D modelling the Viper MkII (Mk2) from the Re-imagined TV series Battlestar Galactica. This is in my top ten of favourite space craft. Last weekend, I've dug it up from my archives, brushed off the virtual dust, then realised why I 'paused, this project. The wings and the rear underside I could never get to look right, even with high resolution orthographic projection views from Zoic Studios. Here is my attempt:

2D Layout - Guess Where? Part 2

I've added an road infrastructure...

I'm delibratetly leaving out one important road

2D Layout - Guess Where?

Stuck to do something on my lunchbreak with no access to any 3D model. So it's competition time: Where on the planet is this?

P.S. It's not some Aztec Ruins.... :P
P.P.S. On the labels for this post, I almost added the location and a few clues, but that would too help you all too much.

Shuttle Carrier Aircraft - Orbiter Support Struts - Part 2

On the NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft for the Space Shuttle the Orbiter Support Struts for both forward and aft location have now been modeled in 3D. I'll add the aerodynamic covers tonight. However, even with technical drawings, I think the aft struts need a little widening to make it look more like the real thing.

Shuttle Carrier Aircraft - Part 1

This is just a starter 3D model of the Boeing 747-100 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. It's not going to be too complex. For the time being I'll just improve the fuselage, add basic landing gear, control surfaces and the supports for the Space Shuttle Orbiter. I'll model both N905NA (747-100) and N905NA (747-100SR). I also plan to create the original 'American Airlines' and the NASA liveries as textures.

Aliens UD-4L "Cheyenne" Dropship - Improved Landing Gear (part 5)

I've improved the forward landing gear 3D model on the UD-4L "Cheyenne" Dropship. I've discovered the forward landing gear is actually the main landing gear of a Avro Vulcan Bomber. The far landing gear is the old model, the closer one is the newer version.

How much was the film Aliens done using scrap vehicles, spare aircraft parts, abandoned industrial locations, cannibalised weapons? :)

Aliens UD-4L "Cheyenne" Dropship - Ramp Details (part4)

I've now added more details to the 3D model of the ramp system on the UD-4L "Cheyenne" Dropship. Whilst watching the Aliens film (again) for the APC loading sequence, I've noticed that I needed to make modifications to the payload bay floor of the dropship. By making it 'thicker', it has removed some of the issues I was having with the location of the chairs in the payload bay, with respect to having the APC in the payload bay.

Aliens UD-4L "Cheyenne" Dropship - Payload Bay (part3)

This is a very cramped space. Once the M577 APC was added to the 3D model of the UD-4L "Cheyenne" Dropship, I immediately noticed that the space in the payload / cargo bay for the chairs was going to be a challenge. I've taken a few 'liberties' on exact location of the chairs. The chair Hicks was sat in appears to be on the ramp on the Aliens film set. However, after a bit of creative tweaking, I've got it to fit.

Next: add a door to the Cockpit/Flight Deck and to add equipment details to the interior.

Space Shuttle Orbiter Umbilicals

As requested here is some screen shots without the External Tank:

This is one of my Drawing Resources for the Orbiter Umbilicals