Smithsonian Telescope Replicas

Objective

Produce Fusion 360 CAD models of ground- and space-based telescopes — including this Hubble Space Telescope replica — for FDM-printed Smithsonian Air and Space Museum hands-on displays, meeting client-directed scale requirements for selected priority models.

What I made

• Defined part splits, assembly approach, tolerances, print orientation, and surface details.
• Used Bambu Studio to slice models.
• Personally printed, assembled, test-fit, and revised every design before release.
• Met client-directed scale requirements for selected priority models.
• Designed model packages so museum staff can print replacement parts, and students or teachers can download, print, and assemble them with minimal support removal or slicer-setting changes.

Process & iteration

Reference images, dimensions, and, in some cases, 3D scans served as modeling references for each telescope replica. Twelve models were independently created or substantially reworked across the internship, translating those references into manufacturable multi-part FDM assemblies with defined part splits, tolerances, print orientation, and surface details.

Models were sliced in Bambu Studio, then personally printed, assembled, test-fit, and revised before release, meeting client-directed scale requirements for selected priority models. Packages were designed so museum staff can print replacement parts, and students or teachers can download, print, and assemble them with minimal support removal or slicer-setting changes.

Evidence

Result

All 12 models, including this Hubble replica, were completed as Fusion 360 designs, personally printed, assembled, test-fit, and revised before release for Smithsonian Air and Space Museum hands-on displays.