Corona Spy Satellite

[RocketmanTan]

For a long time, I have been OBSESSED with spy satellites, or any spy vehicle that intentionally makes itself lift more than a millimeter off the ground. Anwyho, my favorite Space Era is the Space Race Era. I guess what makes it so sexy is that this is THE era in which man has finally broken free of his terran restraints and has reached for the stars. But, of course, the REAL sexy part is the cold war; the US and the USSR always looking at each other through the corners of their eyes, and occasionally giving the finger to each other.

Well, what really interested me were the Spy Satellites of the US and the USSR from that era, for they fit both criteria. Well, I've decided to do the Corona Spy satellite, my favorite spy satellite of all time (hell, it's one of the few that the US has released pictures of!). I will attach photos and such as my design progresses.

 

[RocketmanTan]

Well, there don't seem to be any pics online of a side view of the satellite... this might delay me for a while

 

[RocketmanTan]

I've managed to remedy the afore-mentioned product by simply making a drawing of the satellite, based on pictures, and unfolding it. I've finished designing the main segment, now for the "blue rectangle" at the end...

 

[RocketmanTan]

The prototype design is done. I'll start posting build pics, now

 

[RocketmanTan]

Nose section done!

Boy wasn't this part nerve-racking! Every part I fold, I pray that it fits to the next part I'm cutting...

 

[RocketmanTan]

Midsection and "tail" done!

Here are pics of the tail section, the midsection is nothing but a cylinder...
Keep in mind that these pictures are coming to you guys in real time.

And if any of you want to know what's that on my computer screen, I'm watching Scrubs while building this.

 

[RocketmanTan]

and done!!!

Looks good enough!

 

[RocketmanTan]

In retrospect, it looks kinda short... Back to the drawing board!

 

[RocketmanTan]

Crap...the nose isn't gold...the reentry capsule is

 

[RocketmanTan]

Speaking of the reentry capsule, I am now redesigning the model so that there's a detachable reentry capsule

 

[RocketmanTan]

Well, here are pics of the new nose section. There's a removable nose cap (white dome) with a reentry capsule (golden yellow dome).

 

[SAustin16]

Rocket,

Very cool design. Looks like it's going together well. The designing aspect has become rather obsessive for me...I'd rather design than build much of the time.

Good luck with your Corona. Perhaps when you complete the design you might want to "market" it for free over on Jon Leslie's wonderful Lower Hudson Challenger site?

 

[RocketmanTan]

Rocket,

Very cool design. Looks like it's going together well. The designing aspect has become rather obsessive for me...I'd rather design than build much of the time.

Good luck with your Corona. Perhaps when you complete the design you might want to "market" it for free over on Jon Leslie's wonderful Lower Hudson Challenger site?

Oh yes, of course!! I already have one of my models on his site (it's the orion nuclear-powered spaceship [for some reason it's in the sci-fi section...]), and two more are on their way.

Yea, designing's fun, although I think that the reason I produce models weekly is due to my mild case of OCD, where if my week doesn't go as scheduled, I'll go nuts.

 

[RocketmanTan]

Final copy is done!

I finally finished the front cover and the instruction sheet. I'll post the model in the downloads section as soon as I can.

 

[Retired_for_now]

Looking very good. Outstanding job on the kit design!

Yogi

About references: have you checked up on the little trolls at the Federation of American Scientists? http://www.fas.org/irp/program/collect/index.html

 

[RocketmanTan]

@ Retired for now: Thanks for the support, dude, and I'll be sure to check that link :thumb:

Well, the finished model is up in the downloads section (it was apparently posted while I was in DC [yes, I went to the nasm and saw the real thing myself]). here's the link: http://www.zealot.com/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=1055

 

[howtogurus]

Hi, very nice model. I also like the space race stuff. Mostly I just wanted to give you a reply. Looks like you put a lot of work into this. It must be tricky trying to find information on satellites that the military wants kept secret.

 

[Jan Kytop]

I have finished this very interesting model.
Thank you very much for your work.
I have put two very shiny gold magnets as recovery modules.

 

[RocketmanTan]

I have finished this very interesting model.
Thank you very much for your work.
I have put two very shiny gold magnets as recovery modules.

That's pretty cool! It's better than my prototype!

 

[peter taft]

I have finished this very interesting model.
Thank you very much for your work.
I have put two very shiny gold magnets as recovery modules.
]

Very nice, clean build Jan :thumb: :goldcup: { gotta love those GOLD magnets } and a very good design from you Rocketman :thumb: :goldcup: