Hubble Telescope

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 11:57 am

I am going to attempt a 100% scratch build of the Hubble Telescope. I will first use Autodesk Fusion 360 to build a model. Once digitally built I will figure out how to physically build it. My first idea was Voyager, but I didn't want to double-up on an existing build. So I chose the Hubble Space Telescope. I will put up a proper introduction soon. I wanted to put my stake in the ground before I wimp out.

Post by **MrBowcat** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 12:44 pm

Sounds like an awesome project, I look forward to following the build.

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 2:29 pm

MrBowcat wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2017 12:44 pm Sounds like an awesome project, I look forward to following the build.

This is a first for me, I hope I don't disappoint too much. Keep your expectations low and everything will be shiny!

Post by **Tomcat64** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 2:59 pm

Now this sounds like something worth watching - kudos for giving it a go!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 4:42 pm

This should be very interesting
I am most excited to hear you are doing a full scratch build....truly the epitome of modelling and brings some class to this website for a change

I have a reference for the lenses that you might need, almost spot on detail I believe you could copy them exactly

Post by **BaldyBuilderBoy** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 5:12 pm

I know it's an old and overused cliche but IMHO you are already a massive success for even contemplating this project. I feel somehow inadequate for daring to only attempt a moulded kit. I'll watch with interest.

Post by **DrSprue** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 8:51 pm

Sounds like a very cool project, count me in to share it!

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Fri Oct 06, 2017 1:46 pm

What is it?
From hubble25th.org

On April 24, 1990, the space shuttle Discovery lifted off from Earth with the Hubble Space Telescope nestled securely in its bay. The following day, Hubble was released into space, ready to peer into the vast unknown. Since then, Hubble has reinvigorated and reshaped our perception of the cosmos and uncovered a universe where almost anything seems possible within the laws of physics. Hubble has revealed properties of space and time that for most of human history were only probed in the imaginations of scientists and philosophers alike. Today, Hubble continues to provide views of cosmic wonders never before seen and is at the forefront of many new discoveries.

Shortly after Hubble was deployed in 1990, the observatory's primary mirror was discovered to have a flaw that affected the clarity of the telescope's early images. Astronauts repaired Hubble in December 1993. Including that trip, there have been five astronaut servicing missions to Hubble. The first servicing mission occurred Dec. 2-13, 1993. Subsequent servicing missions occurred on Feb. 11-21, 1997; Dec.19-27, 1999; March 1-12, 2002; and May 11-24, 2009.

The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and the European Space Agency. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., manages the telescope. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Md., conducts Hubble science operations. STScI is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., in Washington, DC.

I have always been fascinated with being able to reach out and see the things beyond what our normal vision allows. Microscopes and telescopes allow us to do just that. Terrestrial telescopes are burdened by our atmosphere. The Hubble telescope is Extraterrestrial and is not limited by having to peer through miles of atmosphere. It was named for Edwin Hubble a prominent US astronomer. While the telescope was completed in 1985, it was not launched into orbit until 1990. The delay was in no small part to the Challenger accident which occurred on Jan. 28th 1986.

The Hubble telescope is still active today, 27 years (and a handful of service missions). You can see what it is currently "looking" at here. However, as most stories do, a sad end is in store for the Hubble. It's orbit is decaying, meaning it is slowly re-entering the earth's atmosphere. It will not survive the journey. In 2013, NASA projected that the telescope would remain functional until around 2020. It will burn up as early as 2028. You can read a more detailed article here.

Whats it look like?

How will I build it?
I have go no earthly idea!

The first thing I will do is to build a 3D computer model. I will use Fusion 360, technical drawings, existing 3D models, and some good old artistic interpretation.

I found a PDF document on something called the internet. It contained loads of technical information about the telescope. They also included blueprints of the final design. I am going to load these into Fusion to help me design the satellite.

Here are a couple of shots of the Fusion design process.

Once I get the model where I like it, I can decide on a scale and begin fabrication. I will most likely use my Peopoly Moai SLA printer to make the main parts with stock styrene and brass for others. The Moai SLA is a little different from standard FDM printers. FDM stands for Fused Deposition Modeling. In this process a solid filament is melted and fused in layers to create the model. SLA printers use a liquid resin that is polymerized when subjected to intense light. Where does the intense light come from? Glad you asked...

That's all I have for now. This will be an intense project. Not sure if I will make the deadline. The 3D modeling is already proving to be brutal. I found several existing 3D models of excellent quality, but I figure that would be cheating myself of countless headaches. Right now I am just going to use the existing models as reference for greebles.

Thanks for watching.

Post by **DrSprue** » Fri Oct 06, 2017 2:43 pm

Wow very cool bfrd!Thank you as well for the links, especially "currently looking at". Ive got one of the HST skillcraft kits in the stash, but I am so sure not as accurate as what you are about to do by a long shot. Hmm maybe the mirror in my kit will be out of tolerance as well.. hehe, sorry I couldn't resist that!

The only meme I can think of here is..

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Oct 06, 2017 3:19 pm

:

I can see this is going to be a spirited thread

Hilarious, and yet informative
Good luck in the build, post lots of photos and ask lots of questions along the way...there are some great scratchbuilders on here who can help.
Not me mind you, but I am sure there are others

YouTube · Post by **Skullfish** » Sat Oct 07, 2017 2:52 pm

Space engineering in miniature!! love it, good luck with the design/build mate. The Hubble is just so iconic and the story behind it so interesting, pushing NASA to new heights.
Intrigued by your use of Fusion 360 to model it, i used Autocad for years and am interested in the whole process of design and build.

Jase

Post by **TommyKillander** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 3:53 pm

Wow

This is so cool!

Good luck buddy

Tommy

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 1:21 pm

I have made a little more progress on the 3D model. I offset the tube as depicted in the blueprints. I cutout the areas for the service bays in the mid section. From what I could tell a couple of the sections were joined so I did that. I also put in recesses for the greebles that will go on the back. I am probably going to recess all of the attachment points to make assembly a little easier.

Post by **ElCapitan** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 1:34 pm

Great to see something so different! It looks like a really good fun bit of software you have there, and I can't wait to see what the physical version comes out like

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 2:02 pm

ElCapitan wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 1:34 pm Great to see something so different! It looks like a really good fun bit of software you have there, and I can't wait to see what the physical version comes out like

The software is free for hobbyists. You can check it out here.

Post by **ElCapitan** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 2:15 pm

bfrd wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 2:02 pm
ElCapitan wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 1:34 pm Great to see something so different! It looks like a really good fun bit of software you have there, and I can't wait to see what the physical version comes out like
The software is free for hobbyists. You can check it out here.

Awesome, thanks! Do you mean the 30-day free trial?

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 3:14 pm

ElCapitan wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 2:15 pm
bfrd wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 2:02 pm
ElCapitan wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 1:34 pm Great to see something so different! It looks like a really good fun bit of software you have there, and I can't wait to see what the physical version comes out like
The software is free for hobbyists. You can check it out here.
Awesome, thanks! Do you mean the 30-day free trial?

Nope, just free. Hobbyists are classified as "startups" in their terminology. Here is a link explaining more.

Post by **ElCapitan** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 3:24 pm

bfrd wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 3:14 pm
ElCapitan wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 2:15 pm
bfrd wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 2:02 pm

The software is free for hobbyists. You can check it out here.
Awesome, thanks! Do you mean the 30-day free trial?
Nope, just free. Hobbyists are classified as "startups" in their terminology. Here is a link explaining more.

Thanks, could come in useful at some point!

Post by **DrSprue** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 5:34 pm

Wow very cool.. Just like Jase says..Space engineering in miniature!!

Post by **Tomcat64** » Wed Oct 11, 2017 9:18 am

Absolutely fascinating to watch this come together.

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Tue Oct 17, 2017 2:49 pm

Put a few more ribs on the exterior. I did a render of the body as it exists right now. I also did a render of the inside of the tube. Because it is dark in there the render was taking forever so I cut it short of high quality. Ray Tracing renders (draws) an image by simulating light rays against a solid body. The longer you let it run the more light rays get simulated and the better the image appears. The second image is "noisy" because I didn't let it run for more than about 5 minutes.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Oct 17, 2017 4:51 pm

Holy shmokes, if you can 3D that, it is going to awesome

Post by **BobM** » Tue Oct 17, 2017 5:39 pm

This is so cool. I’ve been looking for a reason to get into 3D printing. FDM printing just doesn’t seem to have the resolution for modeling, at least not without a lot of work. But your SLA printer looks amazing! I’ll be keeping an eye on your progress!!!!

Post by **Tomcat64** » Tue Oct 17, 2017 10:08 pm

Very, very cool!

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Fri Oct 20, 2017 12:04 pm

Fusion 360 allows you to step through your design steps in its built in timeline. I made a quick video of the work so far. I may be biased, but I think it is kinda neat to watch. ~25 seconds

[youtube]kBmjnv-3QmY[/youtube]

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Thu Nov 02, 2017 12:06 pm

Made some more progress on the hubble design. I added the the dishes and solar panels. Starting to look like a telescope!

I haven't finalized the mounting for the dishes. For the moment they are only using the force to attach themselves to the body of the telescope.

Post by **DBMiller** » Thu Nov 02, 2017 12:16 pm

Good grief what a project!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Nov 02, 2017 3:43 pm

This is blowing my mind

You have taken lots of time doing the computer design so well, and now are using the Force...I think that is cheating

Can't wait to see the process of it being 3D printed out

Post by **Stokesy44** » Thu Nov 02, 2017 4:45 pm

Friggin AWESOME!

I couldn't work out what I was looking at first off. Then I realised it was computer stuff and thought, cool!

Then I realised you had generated it yourself

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Fri Nov 03, 2017 12:48 am

Thanks for the comments.

This is the most complex object I have tried to make. There are a ton of pipes and wires that may not make the final build. There are even a couple of parts I haven't figured out how to model.

I also still have to figure out how to split it up for printing. Such a long way to go.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Fri Nov 03, 2017 4:22 pm

This is a simply awesome process to watch - really enjoying seeing how you're developing this.

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 1:01 pm

I am having repeated issues getting the SLA printer to work. My FDM printer worked from the first minute I plugged it in. This one is a little more complicated. I may have ruined one of the resin vats and have nothing but a oval shaped piece of plastic to show for it. Which by itself could be considered a victory if I was trying to make an oval shaped piece of plastic. News Flash, I wasn't. I will keep trying and see how it goes. The deadline is approaching, and I haven't yet made it to the stage of having something physical in my hands to build.

I apologize to all who have been waiting for an update of substance.

Post by **SprueSurgeon** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 4:09 pm

Wow that's all I can say!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Nov 28, 2017 4:34 pm

bfrd wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2017 1:01 pm

I am having repeated issues getting the SLA printer to work. My FDM printer worked from the first minute I plugged it in. This one is a little more complicated. I may have ruined one of the resin vats and have nothing but a oval shaped piece of plastic to show for it. Which by itself could be considered a victory if I was trying to make an oval shaped piece of plastic. News Flash, I wasn't. I will keep trying and see how it goes. The deadline is approaching, and I haven't yet made it to the stage of having something physical in my hands to build.

I apologize to all who have been waiting for an update of substance.

Not to worry, don't stress out
I may have the tool suggestion for you. Multipurpose and works with all computerized machinery

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 2:14 pm

I have decided to withdraw from the SIG. I realize that it isn't required to say, but just saying it out loud makes me a little less stressed. I am still having issues with the printer. I can get an object to print, but it isn't curing properly. I didn't give myself enough time to learn about SLA printing. FDM printing was just so simple; I made a bad assumption that SLA would be similar.

I will still complete the build when I can but it won't be before the deadline. I looked into having the model printed professionally, but that wouldn't be the fiscally responsible option. Besides, with the money I save I can buy real kits. To sit next to other real kits I have; in boxes; unbuilt; collecting dust.

I appreciate the words of support.

#HubbleIn2018

Post by **DrSprue** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 2:33 pm

The design tho of that hubble came out really nice though Matthew! I love everything you did so far with it. Well done man. Ive gotta save some bucks and get me one of those machines.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 4:54 pm

bfrd wrote: Fri Dec 01, 2017 2:14 pm I have decided to withdraw from the SIG. I realize that it isn't required to say, but just saying it out loud makes me a little less stressed. I am still having issues with the printer. I can get an object to print, but it isn't curing properly. I didn't give myself enough time to learn about SLA printing. FDM printing was just so simple; I made a bad assumption that SLA would be similar.

I will still complete the build when I can but it won't be before the deadline. I looked into having the model printed professionally, but that wouldn't be the fiscally responsible option. Besides, with the money I save I can buy real kits. To sit next to other real kits I have; in boxes; unbuilt; collecting dust.

I appreciate the words of support.

#HubbleIn2018

Sad news, but completely understandable and no need for feeling bad about it
Your design work was out of this world!!!
I love technology and computerization, but man the reliability is just not what it should be.
I have exacted my revenge on a few old PC's and pulled out the hard drive...it makes great turntable for model display

Stash · Post by **bfrd** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 5:28 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Fri Dec 01, 2017 4:54 pm I have exacted my revenge on a few old PC's and pulled out the hard drive...it makes great turntable for model display

I probably have you beat on computer revenge.

325727_10150292803749333_3349372_o.jpg

That big hole is from a 1944 German 8mm Mauser. You may notice the exit hole is much bigger than 8mm. The other smaller holes were from a 9mm pistol.

340240_10150292804134333_4400140_o.jpg

Here you can actually see a .45 jacketed slug stuck in some discs. It went through a couple of other hard drives first.

I have a few more that need to be "dealt with". I think the M1 Garand is going to take care of those!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 5:33 pm

Ha ha, you win

Seriously get the housing and hard drive disks out.
They have a very smooth action and make a phenomenal rotating modelling stand with just a touch of woodwork modification
Yours might have some GSWs however

Post by **DrSprue** » Sat Dec 02, 2017 3:01 am

Thats one way to CLEAN a hard drive!!

Post by **TeufelHunden** » Sun Dec 03, 2017 1:30 am

I am enjoying seeing how this works. Fascinating tech.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Fri Dec 15, 2017 11:15 am

It's a real shame about the Hubble, but completely understandable.

But man when you format a hard drive you make sure it stays good and formatted!