Large-size Europa Clipper ~1:30 Scale Model

thingiverse

Here are the files for the large-size Europa Clipper scale model. It's basically a ruggedized enlargement of the <A href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4903128" target=blank>hand-held model</A>. Printing requires a professional-quality, large-format 3D printer, and some expertise. This large version comes out to be one meter wingtip-to-wingtip. It's pretty robust, with added wing supports and fat antennas. It requires a 10-cm length of 10-mm diameter metal rod or tube to connect the wings together through the spacecraft body. Robustness is the design intent, rather than fragile high fidelity. Still, the model is useful for locating all the science instruments and major engineering components. The spacecraft's X, Y & Z body axes are plainly marked. Attitude Control components shown include Stellar Reference Units, Sun Sensors, Reaction Wheels, and Rocket Engine Modules. Communications and Gravity Science components include the High-Gain Antenna, Medium-Gain Antenna, Low-Gain Antennas, and Fan Beam antennas. The EIS NAC is free to wiggle, though it doesn't articulate its full 60° range. To identify the instruments and spacecraft components, use this wonderful Europa Clipper Project spacecraft interactive visualization website:    <A href="https://europa.nasa.gov/spacecraft/meet-europa-clipper" target="new">europa.nasa.gov/spacecraft/meet-europa-clipper</A> As for the photovoltaic cells on the wings, you might be able to obtain a photograph of (for example) the Juno Spacecraft's solar panels and adjust their size to 138 x 77-mm and glue them in place. Thingiverse limits file sizes, or else they would be available here. For the REASON HF antennas, use two 60-cm lengths of standard 3.2-mm diameter aluminum welding rod. Might be good to have extras on hand. The antennas attach to the wings in this model with replaceable twist-off connectors (LARGE-AntHolder-2022fEuropaClipper.stl). This should minimize damaging them or the model when handling. Avoid any display circumstances where these aluminum rods could possibly cause any hazard for eye injury. The model's carrying case depicted here is a robust Eylar XXL 44-inch deep hard case. Version 2022F improvements include corrected Magnetometer sensor orientation and boom placement slightly off-centerline towards +X. No revisions are expected to the actual flight system design before launch in October, 2024 that would be visible in the model, so this model should remain useful well into the Mission's Phase E, Flight Operations. Check back here for new files with minor updates. They might be unceremoniously updated for improvement once in a while, without incurring an "official" Version increment; the file listing shows the date each file is updated.