Assembling a Space Craft SCIENCE Kit

As you pop the laser-cut model parts out of the parts sheets, and build your model, you'll be learning the actual names of the parts of the real spacecraft. When you're finished, you can read the fact sheets referenced to the kit (and other linked sources of information), and find out just what those parts do. While it would be impossible to represent ALL the parts of a spacecraft (there are millions!), we've carefully selected the parts that make up the kit so that they're representative of what really makes the spacecraft tick.

For example, while building the Galileo model, you'll become familiar with such things as the spin bearing assembly, the scan platform, and the high-gain antenna, to name just a few. Then when you read about the spacecraft, you'll find out all the details about how the actual spacecraft operates using those parts.

And when you're finished, not only will you know the spacecraft inside and out, you'll have a handsome, realistic model to keep on your bookshelf, or hang on a string to explore the space above your desk. They're accurate enough to be used in technical displays, such as in planetariums, schools, and observatories. In fact, NASA has actually used at least one of them in a public display (please see the disclaimer - NASA doesn't endorse anything). They've appeared on various TV shows where the scene called for a spacecraft. Sorry, we're getting a bit off the subject...

Assembling a kit Assembly takes several hours; you shouldn't be in any hurry. You'll need glue, and a few other items, depending on which kit you're building. A complete list of everything you'll need is included in the assembly instructions on the SCI website.

The assembly instructions on the website take you step by step through the process of assembly, usingplenty of illustrations to help. We periodically update the instructions to incorporate suggestions from customers, and to try to eliminate anything unclear. Having the instructions on the web ensures that they are MUCH more detailed, extensive, and helpful, than the crammed printed sheet you may be used to in your scale modelling experience.

You'll find that the online instructions are fairly detailed. We don't just leave you with an exploded diagram and no comments, we carefully guide you through every step of assembly, through tested and updated steps. Have a look:

Assembly Instructions, Fact Sheets, and Presentation Guides

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