This model was designed using publicly available material from the internet including CAD models, videos and pictures of the real SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. See list below for more details:
Pressurised Crew Section
The pressurised crew section was designed based on the existing Draco Pod model by Prot0typ1cal (see LINK). He has done a fantastic job modelling the outer body of the spacecraft so I used his model (with his permission) as reference and added my personal touches. I re-designed almost every part of the original model so they can be fitted together without having to use super glue. Instead, most parts are held together either by magnets or just friction between them. This has allowed my model to be fully stripped down and rebuilt as many time as required. Only a very small number of parts are glued together (e.g. the Monitor and Monitor Stand).
Astronauts in SpaceX ‘s Suit
I came across the SpaceX Astronant model, designed by Gil P. de Paulo on GrabCAD (see LINK) and I think it would be a really nice touch to print this model at the right scale and put it next to the spacecraft model. This would definitely help people (including myself) to understand the true scale of the real SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft in reality (as many of us don’t have the luxury to see it with our own naked eyes). Credits also go to Trevor Page from Tesla Owners Online for modifying the original standing astronaut design to seated astronaut for this MJ model. If you would like to subscribe to his YouTube channel, please click on this LINK
Interior
I wanted to add some interior to this model as well, rather than just the outer body, therefore, I decided to give it a go. The interior of the model comprises of a ‘giant’ monitor, which is fixed to the ‘floor’ via a stand. On the real spacecraft, the monitor is actually mounted to the ceiling. However, as I wanted to show this feature once the outer body panel is removed, I decided to fix it to the ‘floor’ instead of the ceiling.
There are 4 seats in total in this model, each seat can be adjusted separately (incline/recline and spin around the x-axis) as I tried to replicate their movement as per the real ones (e.g. the seats are lowered and facing the entry hatch when the spacecraft is on the ground to help astronauts get in/out with ease. Before lift-off, these seats are tilted backward and also raised upwards closer to the monitor).
Unpressurised Cargo Section (aka. Trunk)
I designed the Trunk (unpressurised cargo section) from scratch based on the photos/videos of the spacecraft available on the SpaceX’s website (see LINK). I tried to replicate the exterior of the Trunk as much as I can, including the number of radiators, solar panels and their locations around the Trunk. I also added my personal touch by designing a secret compartment hidden inside the Trunk. From the outside, the Trunk looks like it was printed as a solid block – however, if you spin the bottom of the Trunk slightly to disengage its simple locking mechanism, the bottom part of the Trunk will slide out very smoothly, revealing its secret compartment – where you can keep some of your precious treasure inside. The other way to open the Trunk is to use the magnets on the bottom of the Heat Shield of the Pressurised Crew Section (for more detail – see assembly instructions below)
Built this model and I have to say it’s incredibly well done and detailed!
Couple of suggestions to make it even better:
LINK to detailed review on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WzL5rYw93Jc
These models are really fantastic. Really impressive attention to detail. Definitely worth the money.
What a wonderful model!
I purchased the STL files of the DRAGON-MS last week and just finished printing it today. Absolutely worth it! One of the best models I ever printed on my 3D printer.