Curiosity build (MSL)

[Gharbad]

Couldn't use the same title as the other thread so I'll use the alternate name ;)

Haven't started yet but it's printed and ready to go!

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/th_IMG_3431.jpg (http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/?action=view&current=IMG_3431.jpg)

I'll try to do my own thing and see how badly I can misinterpret instructions so I won't be checking out the other thread just yet... hopefully that means maximum feedback to Yogi.

[jparenti]

Glad to see you working on it. It's a worthwhile build. I won't spoil any surprises for you, but mind the portside suspension diagram -- it should be a mirror of the starboard side, but Yogi pointed out that his diagram didn't show it that way in the beta.
Good luck!

[Retired_for_now]

Standing by for return fire ...

Yogi (print, score, cut, bend, fold, glue, &etc.)

[Gharbad]

Well I've started building...

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/th_IMG_3662.jpg (http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/?action=view&current=IMG_3662.jpg)

We'll see how much progress I get. I should have some time this week and I've decided I need to stop studying for a while.
Also, it somehow happened that I'm actually involved to some small extent in the real MSL project now... we'll see what happens with that as well.

[Retired_for_now]

MSL launches for Mars on 25 November (booster AtlasV-541=big nose + 4 solids) so you'll have to get going if you want to beat that date ...
Yogi

[obwand10]

Great job!

[Gharbad]

Ha, yeah, wow... the real MSL is all packed up and waiting to go.

I wonder if I maybe I can force it next week... I really need to get back into models.

Turns out nothing came of my MSL work... they did some tests during integration but unfortunately I wasn't involved enough to go down there like some other people... oh well, still cool for me.

[Retired_for_now]

Way cool!
Yogi

[Gharbad]

Could be as little as 2 weeks left... I'll totally continue this weekend :)

I have to hit the deadline!

[SAustin16]

Anxious to see your model. Hoping Curiosity is another ultra-successful NASA Mars mission. Would love to see the delivery of Curiosity on the Mars surface...that will be quite a sight.

[Retired_for_now]

Perfectly happy to see one of y'all draw up the skycrane for this ...

Yogi

[umtutsut]

One thing I find interesting about Curiousity is the lack of the gold Mylar (or whatever) insulation vs. Opportunity, Spirit and Sojourner. Is that because it has an onboard nuclear power source?

That will make it harder to hide my mistakes! :rolleyes:

:cool: Les (Friendly Airplane Asylum & ex-NASA flack)

[Gharbad]

I suspect that's part of it. It's a significantly bigger rover with a lot more power. It will get hotter and keep that heat longer. Different thermal requirements for sure...

So I am continuing!

Here's the RTG:

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/th_IMG_4240.jpg (http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/IMG_4240.jpg)

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/th_IMG_4242.jpg (http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/IMG_4242.jpg)

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/th_IMG_4243.jpg (http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/IMG_4243.jpg)

Those photos are probably too big, I'll scale down the next ones.

Also, Yogi, I'm noticing that some of these panels on the rover body are open in the model as in the system integration photos. I think I'm going to close them up with some panels like the final deal, what do you think?

[obwand10]

GReat Work!The photos are fine...

[Retired_for_now]

Go for it, Kuba. That's always a problem when working from available photos (when trying to get ahead of the launch). Check here for tons of processing photos of all the bits as they get packaged.
Kennedy Media Gallery (http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm)

Use the Expendable Launch Vehicles drop down near the top to select the Mars Science Lab photos.

Yogi

[Gharbad]

Thanks guys!
Lots of good photos there Yogi, I've been looking at the NASA MSL page rather than the KSC page.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html

Got the mast up:

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/th_IMG_4244.jpg (http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/IMG_4244.jpg)

Some small bits:

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/th_IMG_4245.jpg (http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/IMG_4245.jpg)

Stuff I'm working on...
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/th_IMG_4246.jpg (http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/IMG_4246.jpg)

I might regret the assembly order I've chosen; kind of worried about breaking things while attaching the suspension. Oh well, it should still be ok.

[Retired_for_now]

Don't remember clearly, but I think I put most of the chassis bits together then attached the suspension assembly last (though the arm and mast were slip in parts so they were the last on). I need to build another for a door-prize diorama for the next teacher workshop (Viking/Sagan-Sojourner/Rover/Phoenix/Curiosity on a not-quite-as-nice-as-paperkosmonaut base). Probably won't get started in time to help here though.
Yogi

[Gharbad]

Wow how did 8 days go by? That's crazy.

Slowly continuing the wheels...

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/th_IMG_4261.jpg (http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/IMG_4261.jpg)

They'll get more rounded when I glue in the spokes and properly form them...
I decided to remove the wheel rims. I think it looks more realistic like this because the rims are actually quite subtle.

[SAustin16]

Kuba and Yogi,

Beautiful build of a beautiful design. You guys really have talent. VERY cool model.

[Gharbad]

Thanks.
However it looks like I didn't make it, I don't think I'll finish it by 10am tomorrow.
Maybe I can finish before it leaves Earth orbit? They do tend to sit there for a while...

I'll definitely finish it before it lands??

Haha we'll see...

Sorry Yogi!

[jparenti]

Looks like it's on its way!
I'd love to draw out the cruise stage at least, but I'll be darned if I can find any decent dimensioned drawings (or at least a side/top view) to use in order to make the thing at least semi-accurate.

[Gharbad]

Yep, hopefully the trek to Mars goes alright.

Continuing with the suspension...
I'm building the original grey version rather than the updated black one. I forgot about the update until I already built one

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/th_IMG_4262.jpg (http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/IMG_4262.jpg)

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/th_IMG_4263.jpg (http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Gharbad101/Models/Curiosity/IMG_4263.jpg)

Yogi, I noticed that the portside suspension template (pg 7 in my PDF) top view is mirror image. It needs to be flipped vertically. Right now it's actually the same as the starboard side top view.

[Retired_for_now]

Kuba,
Yah, early glitch. Get the latest file from the downloads and check that page (corrected - I think).
Yogi

[Retired_for_now]

Just a note for those looking for an additional version of the MSL rover - Jules has one posted at Mars Rover Curiosity Paper Model (http://www.paper-replika.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6762:mars-rover-curiosity-paper-model&catid=139:space&Itemid=200144) . Smaller scale and more intricate graphics treatment.
Yogi

[Gharbad]

That's what I get for taking over a year on a beta build I guess.

Starting next week I'm off work until next year so hopefully I can finish it off. Just got back from a really exhausting trip this morning...

Oh, I got a neat MSL sticker. I think I'm going to make a little Mars surface diorama thing with some rocks and add the sticker. Should be pretty cool, and it'll help with mechanical stability of the suspension.

[Gharbad]

So after almost 4 years (!) of not touching it... the uneventful finish.

In hindsight I could've totally built the newer, improved version but oh well!
My supposed "Beta" build became super, super late.
At least now we all know the rover met its mission life!!
We'll see how long it keeps going...

256420

256421

I've never done anything with sleeve construction like this arm and I'm surprised how well it works. Good trick moving forward... thanks Yogi!

[elliott]

It looks good Kuba. Got any more pics? Oh, about the four year gap? At least you finished...

[Gharbad]

Thanks Elliott!

I didn't take any more pictures, I figured there's enough good ones in the other threads :)
It's now sitting on my desk at work.

And yes I have a bad habit of not finishing things... I am currently reviving an even older build, stay tuned...

[Retired_for_now]

Four years to build ... not too far off the actual construction time. Just another example of your dedication to real detail.
Yogi