RMRA Model of AMSAT-OSCAR 40

A downloadable model of the AO-40 satellite ready for printing on card stock in Adobe .pdf format.
File requiresAdobe Acrobat Reader which is avaialble for free download.

AO-40 Model - Simplified Version

Download AO-40 Model

The purpose of this model is to provide an attractive object for display, and a convenient means of satellite component identification. Dimensions, proportions, and locations are essentially correct, but should not be used for engineering purposes. If printed on 8.5x11 inch card stock, the scale should be roughly 1:25.

Materials needed:
Elmer's glue
Double sided tape (optional)
Black felt tip pen
Scissors
X-Acto Knife and straightedge
Tweezers

Assembly Instructions

Hints:

The model should be printed on card stock, about the weight of a business card. A non-glossy surface is preferred but this is up to the discretion of the builder.

Folds can be made much more precisely if the lines are lightly scored with a razorknife before folding.

Double sided tape can be used where the two surfaces can be solidly pressed together. Glue works better in the final stages of assembly where this is mechanically difficult.

Colored felt tip markers can be used to touch up edges and other imperfections. Pencil lead works well for touching up the aluminum gray areas.

Assembly:

Cut out all parts using the included diagram as a guide. Use a scissors or an X-Acto knife and straightedge. An X-Acto knife works best on the smaller parts and more intricate cuts.
Lightly score all fold lines.
Start by assembling the large solar wings. They fold in half along the long axis. secure with glue or tape. It may not be possible to fold these arrays exactly in half. Trim off any overlap with an X-Acto knife and a straightedge. The final width of the solar panels must be no greater than the height of the satellite's side.
Assemble the bottom and sides of the satellite body by applying glue or tape to the glue tabs marked "glue to bottom". Attach these tabs to the bottom section.
Apply glue or tape to the tabs marked "glue to large solar panels" and secure to the similarly marked areas on the large solar panels.
Apply glue or tape to the tabs on the small solar panels marked "glue to small solar panels". Assemble this panel so that tabs "C" and "D" align with the similarly marked areas on the large solar wings, and the "G" tabs contact the satellite bottom. Make sure the bottom and small solar panel align at the edges.
Apply glue to all six tabs marked "glue to top". These tabs will attach to the unprinted side of satellite top. Make sure the top is properly oriented. The 1.2 GHz L-band antenna should be in the hexagon corner defined by the small solar panels.
The kick motor can be shaped by gently wrapping it around the tapered tip of a mechanical pencil or similar object. The gray printed side is the outside. Secure the tab with glue. When dry, color the inside of the motor black with a felt tip pen. The motor is then attached to the satellite top with a dab of glue. A straight pin inserted through the motor and into the top may be used to align the parts.

Suggestions for enhancing the model:

The model was designed to be printed with a flat finish, but you may want to print on a glossy or semi-gloss paper. Another alternative would be to print only certain parts on glossy paper, such as the solar panels.

Gold foil could be used to more realistically model the gold mylar insulation blanket.

A string attached to an inside surface during construction and passed out the top corner opposite the 10 GHz dish antenna will allow the model to be suspended in an attractive orientation

The model can also be built with the solar panels in pre-deployment configuration.

A more detailed model with 3-dimensional dish and raised patch antennas is currently being designed. It should be ready sometime in early 2002.

This model was designed by K9DB for free distribution. However if it will make you sleep better, you can contribute to AMSAT or the RMRA. If you are a Radio Amateur, consider joining either organization.

Send any questions or comments concerning the model to
K9DB

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