N Scale Curiosity

[Mark W]

I'm feeling a little holiday spirit and just plain excited with every new part that comes out of the Photon.  So let's have a little guessing game, shall we?

First one to successfully name this part, gets one of their own!   



https://i.imgur.com/TMwuZQB.jpg

If necessary, I'll reveal more every day until we get a winner.   

[nickelplate759]

pantograph base?

[Chris333]

A highly detailed print of a blurred object?  Do you need my address?   

Is it one of those tall harvesters with the wheels spaced far apart up on stilts? Whatever they are called:

[Bendtracker1]

A project you might actually finish?

[narrowminded]

It's your part and your machine.   It can be whatever you want it to be.

Not sure of scale but maybe a coupler box?  Maybe the backside of a crosshead? 

If a little larger, maybe a key fob with a container for belly button lint?

[wcfn100]

Some sort of tolerance test of the Photon. 

Jason

[MK]

Is this like an ink blot test but 3D print instead? 

[Mark W]

Here's another hint:

Only two were ever built.  Both are still operational today. 

[C855B]

Mars Rover Curiosity.

[rodsup9000]

Mars Rover Curiosity.

 I think you right.

[Mark W]

Mars Rover Curiosity.

We have a winner! 


Yes, NASA releases 3D models, specifically for 3D printing, of several spacecraft, rovers, and equipment.  Naturally, I had to have an N Scale Curiosity.   

And dream becomes reality!  Time to go exploring!


https://i.imgur.com/wuKNE5y.jpg

[C855B]

Heh. Piece of cake. The hexagonal high-gain antenna had me going, and your hint about "both ... operational" nailed it. Not too many folks know about about the second earthbound test bed that IIRC still has its own (very large) room at JPL.

[RBrodzinsky]

My son-in-law is at Lockheed Martin in CO.  Worked on Mars Orbiter and Juno.  He took one quick glance at top photo and knew immediately.

[Mark W]

Here's the NASA Database of 3D Printable models, for anyone else who might be.... curious!   

https://nasa3d.arc.nasa.gov/models/printable

[C855B]

Here's the NASA Database of 3D Printable models, for anyone else who might be.... curious!   

https://nasa3d.arc.nasa.gov/models/printable

Cool. I'm crushed, tho' (you know why)... not a single X-series model. The least they could do is an X-1 or X-15. I'd really like an N scale X-1 to put on a pedestal.

I love the wrench, however.