| Manufacturer: | Scratch |
In t' desire t' fulfill t' need for an autonomous single place transportation craft, NASA has developed t' EV Series. Capable o' completin' diverse tasks and operations, ya bilge rat, me hearties, t' Expedition Vehicles have become a valuable tool.
Long duration work sessions on t' International Space Station are now much more comfortable while usin' t' EV units t' position delicate equipment. T' ISS image shows a pair o' units workin' together as they complete a task. Blimey! Avast! After refueling, t' EV units will be readied for use as lifeboats until needed again.
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T' Mars Polar Landin' program has become a regular mission for t' NASA EV-A. Well, blow me down! Blimey! T' precision landin' ability o' t' EV allows for t' Astronaut t' exit t' craft and walk t' t' mission subject. Typical polar missions have included Probe insertions and replacement, unique data gatherin' and life sign monitoring. T' EV has also provided for low overhead crew transfers betwixt surface and orbitin' bases. Well, blow me down! Begad! Blimey! T' images show a typical Polar embarkment and a Mars lift-off.
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Other classes o' EV units included t' beta class and delta class. Beta crafts are unmanned and used primarily for provide additional payload capacity with an alpha class unit. Blimey! Arrr! Delta classes are armed military units designed for satellite defense and covert landings.
In lieu o' t' Shuttle missions, EV units are commonly bein' used for returnin' t' t' Earths surface. Ya scallywag! Avast! T' photos here show military personnel assistin' an Astronaut that has landed at Nelis Air Force Base. Blimey! Servicemen are welcome as it is somewhat difficult t' dismount t' unit in full gravity. Begad! Well, me hearties, blow me down! Note t' absence o' a parachute. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! Due t' t' stability o' t' craft, me hearties, shiver me timbers, it is ejected upon touchdown in order t' prevent capsize.
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Buildin' t' 1/8 scale NASA EV-A
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Supplies Needed: Body: 14" Easter Egg Instructions: Legs are cut and drilled with descendin' forstner bit sizes. Blimey! Thru drill one leg t' accept alternatin' 3/4" long steps. Ya scallywag! Paint red. Motor assembly tubes and parts are all formed usin' a stationary drill press with hole cutter, matey, a laser miter saw, and a band saw. Mark and epoxy carefully. Begad! Aye aye! Slot Forward Closer for shock cord. Final assembly requires t' insertion o' motor assembly through hatch, addition o' launch lug, and securin' o' legs thru egg into mounts. T' cockpit cardstock is then formed and inserted. Internal detailin' can be added at this point. Aye aye! Blimey! T' clear plastic is now formed by heatin' in an oven for 2 minutes at 350 degrees. While soft, ya bilge rat, me bucko, t' plastic is formed over t' opposite side o' t' hatch. Aye aye! Arrr! Trim down as required for insertion into egg. Well, blow me down! Well, blow me down! Final detailin' includes t' securin' o' t' Chapstick modules and addition o' lettering. Aye aye! Text was all produced at home with a laser printer and secured with "Super 77" photo mount. T' model is sized t' fly on D thru H engines, dependin' on payload. T' initial flight was unmanned on a D12-3 with low altitude and nominal results. Aye aye! More acceptable results will be obtained with F engines (unmanned) and impressive flights are expected on H engines (manned). Look for this t' fly at NYPower. |
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