GOCE model

[tawnyman]

Has anyone come across a model of the recently deceased GOCE satellite? It's rather a striking design, very futuristic looking. Being designed to work in the outer parts of the atmosphere it has a rather more aerodynamic look to it than your average space vehicle.



What kind of software do people use if they're developing their own card models? I wouldn't mind trying a simple one for my sons ceiling.
Julian

[tawnyman]

Sorry, realised this should have gone in the designers corner. And found some useful posts on software in there - should have checked first! Julian

[Vermin_King]

This certainly was the Ferrari of satellites. Good luck on developing one

[Gideon]

I think the PASA forum is also an appropriate Place for this design thread.

[Retired_for_now]

First step in designing is usually to decompose the model into primitive shapes. Boxes, prisms, cylinders, etc. Looks like this one is a regular 8-sided prism with some circular detail on the ends (launch mounts, likely) and four fins (two big and two small). You can build that with software or a paper and pencil. Take a look at how other similar models are put together. The graphics work is what's needed to bring this one to life.

Personally, I start with a rough sketch on paper and draw the (accurately?) dimensioned parts in Powerpoint. Limitation on that software is its rudimentary graphics tools.

Yogi

[tawnyman]

Thanks for the replies. I've been having a look at metasequoia so if I can get the rudiments of that then I'll start with a basic version of GOCE. I'll do some pencil sketches of the satellite to start with so I can understand it more clearly.
Julian