Manufacturer: 3D print, own model
Scale: 1/3000
Additional parts: none
Model build: Jul 2020 - Jan 2021
Manufacturer: 3D print, own model
Scale: 1/3000
Additional parts: none
Model build: Jul 2020 - Jan 2021
The gentle hum of the asteroid thrummed through Dr. Anya Petrova's paws as she gazed out the viewport of Ukusa station. Sunlight, filtered through the dome, cast a warm glow on the research equipment nestled in the center of the chamber. Anya, a Reban scientist with fur as black as the void itself, sighed contentedly. Here, amidst the immensity of the asteroid belt, Ukusa was a haven of peaceful research.
Today's mission was a simple one: collect samples from a newly discovered asteroid, a small, metallic speck dubbed "Shimmer" for its faintly reflective surface. Anya piloted the Reban shuttle with practiced ease, its sleek, bio-engineered form gliding through the zero-gravity environment. As she neared Shimmer, its surface shimmered with a surprising iridescence, like a beetle's shell under a summer sun.
Landing the shuttle softly, Anya stepped out onto the asteroid's surface. The silence was absolute, broken only by the faint hiss of her suit's oxygen supply. She carefully collected rock samples, each one a treasure trove of potential discoveries. Back on Ukusa, the team would analyze the samples, hoping to unlock the secrets of Shimmer's unique composition.
Later that evening, as Anya shared her findings with her fellow Rebans, a sense of community filled the research dome. Dr. Borris, a Reban with fur the color of aged honey, stroked his chin thoughtfully. "These iridium traces," he rumbled, his voice a soothing bass, "could be the key to developing a new shielding material."
Anya's eyes gleamed. Ukusa's research wasn't just about resource extraction; it was about using their knowledge to improve the lives of all Rebans. Perhaps, one day, their advancements would even allow them to explore the vast expanse beyond the Päft system, to share their peaceful way of life with other civilizations.
As the Rebans continued their discussions, their voices weaving a tapestry of scientific inquiry and camaraderie, the asteroid Ukusa, a tiny speck in the grand cosmic dance, pulsed with the quiet hum of progress, a testament to the collective spirit of a peaceful people.
The Päft system of the Rebans is characterized by a large asteroid belt between the 3rd and 4th planet. Although mostly consisting of smaller asteroids, objects with several kilometers in diameter are not uncommon. The largest known asteroid has a size of almost 100km.
It is not surprising that the Rebanis started early to explore the asteroid belt, as it has to be crossed on the way to the 4th planet.
After the discovery of rare ores, the Rebans began to mine them on site, and in 2127 the first facilities exist to process the mined ores on site.
Besides mining activities, several asteroids have been developed into research stations. Like the small asteroid "Ukusa". With its maximum size of just under 400 meters, it is a rather small specimen. On the one hand the asteroid serves as a comminicasion hub for surrounding mining asteroids, on the other hand research is done there with the ores mined in the "vicinity".
A 60-meter diameter dome serves as the asteroid's headquarters, with research facilities and accommodations located inside. Various docking ports allow plasma cruisers to be docked for resupply and asteroid shuttles. A small landing platform is used to service the asteroid shuttles, which are used to transport to surrounding asteroids.
The 1:3000 scale model consists of an asteroid model printed with an FDM printer. This was then covered in "bird sand" and painted by airbrush. The superstructure was all printed by SLA printer and painted with Revell Aqua Color.
For size comparison, the docked plasma cruiser is about 4.5 cm long, the asteroid shuttles 1.5 cm.