Manufacturer: 3D print, own model
Scale: 1/700
Additional parts: none
Model build: Jan - Feb 2021
Reban Asteroidshuttle Imbumbulu
3D print, own model
1/700
1/700
The Ferrymaster
Amara squinted out of the viewport of the Imbumbulu, the artificial gravity tugging gently at her stomach. Asteroids of all shapes and sizes swirled around the ship, their surfaces a mottled grey against the inky blackness of space. Here, in the unforgiving expanse of the Icin system's asteroid belt, Amara had found her calling.
Her grandfather had been a pioneer of the Rebanian mining operations, one of the first to set foot on a newly discovered asteroid. Amara, raised on stories of those early, daring days, yearned to follow in his footsteps. But piloting plasma cruisers was out of the question for most Rebanians; the Imbumbulu, the graceful dancer of the asteroids, was where her heart belonged.
Today, Amara was ferrying a group of geologists to a newly identified asteroid, a potential treasure trove of iridium. The usual pre-flight jitters danced in her stomach, a counterpoint to the thrumming of the Imbumbulu's engines. Unlike the lumbering plasma cruisers, the Imbumbulu relied on maneuverability, weaving between the asteroids in a silent ballet.
As Amara expertly navigated the treacherous path, a low murmur arose from the passenger cabin. These geologists, brilliant in their field but clumsy in the zero-g environment, were never at ease on the Imbumbulu. Amara, with a wry smile, announced over the intercom, "Relax, everyone! We'll be there before you can say 'iridium deposit.'"
The murmur subsided, replaced by the soft hum of the recycled air system. Amara glanced at the flickering star chart, her mind already calculating the course for the return trip. The life of an Imbumbulu pilot was one of solitude, punctuated by brief bursts of human interaction. She preferred it that way. Out here, amidst the silent dance of the asteroids, Amara felt a connection to her grandfather, a shared love for the untamed beauty of the Icin system.
Docking at the new asteroid, Amara watched as the geologists, all suited up for the harsh vacuum, disembarked with a mix of excitement and trepidation. A solitary figure remained behind. A young woman, barely out of academy, her eyes wide with wonder.
"This is your first time out in the belt, isn't it?" Amara asked gently.
The young woman nodded, her voice barely a whisper, "It's amazing."
Amara smiled. "It never gets old, does it?" In that moment, she saw a reflection of herself, years ago. A spark of passion ignited, a yearning for discovery. As the young woman followed the geologists out of the ship, Amara undocked the Imbumbulu, a silent promise hanging in the air - to return them safely, and to share the secrets whispered by the asteroids.
When I made the Rebanian asteroid base needed a small asteroid shuttle. So I designed and 3D printed one:
I liked it, so I made a bigger, more detailed version of it.
In 2091 the Rebanians started to explore the asteroid belt between the 3rd and 4th planet of the Icin system. It soon became apparent that valuable raw materials could be found on many of the asteroids, and after various attempts, asteroid mining began in 2110.
By 2127, nearly 50 asteroids were being farmed by the Rebanians or used as research sites. While plasma cruisers were predominantly used to supply the asteroids, the Rebanians needed smaller vehicles to transport people and goods between asteroids.
The most advanced vehicle was the "Imbumbulu" class asteroid ferry. Equipped to transport people and with limited cargo capacity, these vehicles were used to transport Rebanians between asteroids.
Due to the nature of the asteroid belt, the focus was not on high terminal velocity, but on increased range. Up to 100 Rebaners could be transported by the 50 meter long vehicle.
The model was created with Tinkercad and based on a simple model I had created for the Rebanian asteroid base. Printed with a SLA printer in 1/700 the model is about 7,2 cm long.
For better painting the model was printed in different parts (engine, hull, tanks). The model was painted with Revell Aqua Color.
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