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The City Space theme continues to inspire. I wanted to use the curved quarter panels as a windscreen, and by excellent luck had the matching curve plate in sand blue. From then on it was just a matter of mixing the design cues and colour scheme from the sets with my build.
Rather pleased with this, looks chunky and industrial near-future. The crane, while functional, can't lift the module without ripping itself apart. Oh well.
Probably won't take any more pictures of the module itself either, it's just an empty shell that seems to be more like a double-decker carriage on a scenic train than a science module. Some more work on that will be required, I think. But that's a problem for another time. I already have an idea for a larger build that will incorporate four of these modules.
Finally had a chance to make use of the Fallout Shelter minifigs from EclipseGRAFX Customs in the module before it gets deconstructed...
I've been working on this single scene for over 4 months now. I have the visible portions (minus the roof and a couple details) complete but I didn't like how a crossroads in the back simply stopped when it went out of view. So then I decided to add in more buildings (all fully detailed facades AND visible interiors) even in the areas not visible to the camera. So now the model has around 6500 parts and I still am thinking of more. (All part-color combos should be legal)
The sketches in the middle are some of my notes for this build. The builds around the edge are the more recent additions and none of them will be visible head on. I've also sketched a number of different custom stickers for added detail. 5 of them are shown here on the modules.
By the time I'm ready to populate this scene with figures, the animation feature may be public on Mecabricks. At that point, the scene should be expansive enough for me to make some interesting fly-throughs.
Finally, this scene will hopefully fit in the Hibernia universe. I'll be making use of my glowing-sign-technique that I tested here. And, when it is all complete, I'll make the model public.
This ‘mirror module’ – formed of 140 industrial silicon mirror plates, stacked together by a sophisticated robotic system – is destined to form part of the optical system of ESA’s Athena X-ray observatory.
Due to launch in 2031, Athena will probe 10 to 100 times deeper into the cosmos than previous X-ray missions, to observe the very hottest, high-energy celestial objects. To achieve this the mission requires entirely new X-ray optics technology.
Energetic X-rays don’t behave like typical light waves: they don’t reflect in a standard mirror. Instead they can only be reflected at shallow angles, like stones skimming along water. So multiple mirrors must be stacked together to focus them: ESA’s 1999-launched XMM-Newton has three sets of 58 gold-plated nickel mirrors, each nestled inside one another. But to see further, Athena needs tens of thousands of densely-packed mirror plates.
A new technology had to be invented: ‘silicon pore optics’, based on stacking together mirror plates made from industrial silicon wafers, which are normally used to manufacture silicon chips.
It was developed at ESA’s ESTEC technical centre in the Netherlands, and patented by ESA, invented by an ESA staff member with the founder of cosine Research, the Dutch company leading an European consortium developing Athena’s optics.
The technology was refined through a series of ESA R&D projects, and all process steps have been demonstrated to be suitable for industrial production. The wafers have grooves cut into them, leaving stiffening ribs to form the ‘pores’ the X-rays will pass through. They are given a slight curvature, tapering towards a desired point so the complete flight mirror can focus X-ray images.
“We’ve produced hundreds of stacks using a trio of automated stacking robot,” explains ESA optics engineer Eric Wille. “Stacking the mirror plates is a crucial step, taking place in a cleanroom environment to avoid any dust contamination, targeting thousandth of a millimetre scale precision. Our angular resolution is continuously improving.”
“Ongoing shock and other environmental testing ensures the modules will meet Athena’s requirements, and the modules are regularly tested using different X-ray facilities.”
Athena’s flight mirror – comprising hundreds of these mirror modules – is due for completion three to four years before launch, to allow for its testing and integration.
Each new ESA Science mission observes the Universe in a different way from the one before it, requiring a steady stream of new technologies years in advance of launch. That’s where ESA’s research and development activities come in, to early anticipate such needs, to make sure the right technology is available at the right time for missions to come.
Long-term planning is crucial to realise the missions that investigate fundamental science questions, and to ensure the continued development of innovative technology, inspiring new generations of European scientists and engineers.
Science is everywhere at ESA. As well as exploring the Universe and answering the big questions about our place in space we develop the satellites, rockets and technologies to get there. Science also helps us to care for our home planet. All this week we're highlighting different aspects of science at ESA. Join the conversation with #ScienceAtESA.
Credits: ESA/cosine Research
Le module de commande Columbia est la partie du vaisseau spatial qui a servi lors de la mission Apollo 11. Elle a été la première à faire alunir des humains sur la Lune.
I decided the build one of Michael Gale's MultiRoad modules over the weekend. I think it looks pretty sharp.
This model showcases the Apollo Command Module, a pioneering spacecraft that carried 27 astronauts on nine lunar missions between 1968 and 1972. Launched atop the colossal Saturn V rocket, the most powerful rocket ever constructed, the Command Module was the sole component of the spacecraft to return to Earth after each mission.
Here are the modules I have so far, plus the unmanned scout vehicle.
I don't have plans for any more modules immediately, but could definitely see myself building some eventually.
My first take on the micropolis module format for microscale LEGO city. Comments and constructive criticism appreciated!
Le module lunaire ou LEM ou LM est le véhicule spatial utilisé dans le cadre du programme spatial américain Apollo pour débarquer des hommes sur la Lune.
Encore un départ de cargo, le Progress russe, mais avec une nouveauté de taille : accroché au véhicule, un petit bout de station est carrément parti en même temps, et ce n’est pas tous les jours que ça arrive ! C’était le module DC1, qui nous a quitté après vingt ans de bons et loyaux services. 👋 On a penché la Station de 90° pour faciliter l’opération. Quelques heures après, on était aux premières loges pour observer le finish en ☄️ (destruction du véhicule en rentrant dans l’atmosphère, brûlé sous l’effet de la friction).
So long DC1! 👋 After almost twenty years of service, instead of getting a medal , one of the Space Station's oldest modules got a little trip through the atmosphere. Check these pics: it’s not every day that you see a piece of the Station being taken away. We pitched the International Space Station 90 degrees, and so we flew belly first, to help out with the manoeuver. Pyotr and myself tried to capture some photos and videos of this important moment in the Station's history. Quite a strange feeling to see a part of your ship fly away in mid-air (so to speak – no atmosphere here duh). A couple of hours later and we had front row seat to the fireball that was going to be DC1’s last act. 🌠We clearly saw smaller pieces float away from the main fireworks, as the ship was being destructed by the heat of atmospheric friction. Quite the show!
Credits: ESA/NASA–T. Pesquet
421E9280
Another module, numero 12.
The Island has to be finished by next weekend.
I will not succeed in that but I'll try anyway.
Each module is displayed by itself along with a view of the interior.
The first module is the command center and research station. Most of the technology is contained here for under water *secret* research.
The second module is the turret or weapon module. It is a relatively small module but is designed to be easily replicated. The interior has room for a few soldiers to man the battle stations.
The third module is the drill module. Deep below the surface there are many valuable resources to be harvested for Norkira. The interior shows lights and panels for drilling procedures.
The fourth module is the main housing module. This contains the area for cooking, exercise, but most importantly sleeping. The beds themselves can be viewed from the skylights.
The fifth module is both the generator and the docking station. The small submersible can be seen leaving the port and the generator equipment can be viewed through the window.
The sea creature is a giant squid! Although it has become friendly toward the Nokiran research center, other nations should beware.
This is the 3rd module (of 6 currently built) that is part of my JunkTown MOC. This is a bit of a Junk Yard
Over the past few days at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, engineers have connected the third European Service Module to the Crew Module Adapter, forming the complete Service Module which will propel Orion towards the Moon and provide oxygen and water for astronauts during the Artemis III mission.
This assembly process involved carefully suspending the Crew Module Adapter while lifting the European Service Module very slowly, stopping regularly to check the alignment using precise laser measurements. The European Service Module is placed on a mobile platform that allows engineers to accurately move the precious module with six degrees of freedom – x, y, z and three rotations – to ensure an exact alignment. Once the modules are ready to be fastened, engineers install 192 screws one by one all around the modules. Some of these fastenings are particularly challenging to reach, requiring special precautions like foil to prevents parts from falling into the module underneath.
Now that the modules are connected, the next steps in the journey to Artemis III include welding operations to connect the systems that will provide breathable air, water and temperature inside the spacecraft and testing that these systems are leak-proof and securely connected. Next year, the Crew Module and solar array wings will be attached to the Service Module, forming the complete Orion spacecraft.
Follow our Orion blog for more updates.
Credits: NASA