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Old 10th July 2012, 08:11 AM   #1
merlin
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Default Solar System Cargo Carrier

I've been meaning to post some of my work for a long time, but between work, kids etc, I've never gotten round to it. However, to mark the anniversary of the first steps on the moon 43 years ago this month, and as a hommage to the movie that started my love of all things space related (2001) I have decided to build (and post) my own 'solar system' transporter. A small fleet of such ships will be responsible for keeping the first colonies in the solar system stocked with supplies and personnel, as well as ferrying materials mined from the asteroid belt to the factories and manufacturers throughout the system.

This 'Command Module' was already in production before I decided to post a thread, so apologies for having some work done to it already. This is merely the front end, and is very heavily influenced by the Discovery ship from 2001. Lots more to build and attach.
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Old 18th August 2012, 07:32 PM   #2
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Default Re: Solar System Cargo Carrier

Docking hatch detail for the main cabin area.
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Old 18th August 2012, 07:35 PM   #3
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Default Re: Solar System Cargo Carrier

More detail on the cabin and the start of the main spine of the ship.
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Old 19th August 2012, 06:48 PM   #4
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Default Re: Solar System Cargo Carrier

So, the thinking is that in the next 60 to 100 years we will go back to the moon, get a colony on Mars and head out to the other planets in our solar system. We will set up mining facilities out at the asteroid belt to supply our raw materials and have regular supply runs to the various human settlements throughout the system. There will be a small fleet of workhorses to carry people, freight, and supplies - as per the design here.
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Old 20th August 2012, 05:41 AM   #5
Andy
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Default Re: Solar System Cargo Carrier

very nice - paticularly the structures around the rear sphere
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Old 23rd August 2012, 05:33 AM   #6
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Default Re: Solar System Cargo Carrier

Thanks Andy. The section at the 'rear 'isn't quite a sphere. I'll post a side elevation to show what it looks like in profile. I would estimate this is about a quarter of the planned finished length. Still a considerable amount of detailing to do.
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Old 23rd August 2012, 11:00 AM   #7
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Default Re: Solar System Cargo Carrier

Great details. It really has a nice 2001 space odyssey feel to it indeed.
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Old 24th August 2012, 08:54 AM   #8
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Default Re: Solar System Cargo Carrier

While I am modelling the next section I thought I would do some work on designing a cargo pod. Quite a few of these will make up the central section of the ship, along the spine.
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Old 2nd September 2012, 04:40 PM   #9
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Default Re: Solar System Cargo Carrier

As we probably won't have the wonder of an anti-gravity system within the next few decades any transport we are using throughout the solar system will have to use a centrifugal based gravity section - so here is mine.
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Old 7th September 2012, 01:18 PM   #10
JWgameart
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hey merlin, I love the centrigal hub, it is amazing! Did you use revolve for that?
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