X-59 3D Printing

#1

Post by Jsebast24 » Tue, Dec 16, 2025, 5:32 PM UTC

Re: X-59 3D Printing

#2

Post by JKCalhoun » Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 8:14 PM UTC

If you have no 3D printer, .stl files are viewable in the Mac OS Finder. Just download the file, select it and hit the spacebar: a 3D rendering of the .stl can be rotated.

Re: X-59 3D Printing

#3

Post by eigen » Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 9:39 PM UTC

lots of other 3D models available at https://science.nasa.gov/3d-resources/

Hubble 3D Models

https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/multimedia/3d-hubble...

Curiosity Rover

https://science.nasa.gov/resource/curiosity-rover-3d-model/

Re: X-59 3D Printing

#4

Post by shrx » Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 10:29 PM UTC

JKCalhoun wrote: post #2

If you have no 3D printer, .stl files are viewable in the Mac OS Finder. Just download the file, select it and hit the spacebar: a 3D rendering of the .stl can be rotated.

Windows 10 also has a built-in viewer for STL files [0]. It appears to be an optional download in Windows 11 though [1].

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_3D_Viewer

[1] https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9nblggh42ths

Re: X-59 3D Printing

#5

Post by lawrenceduk » Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 11:15 PM UTC

Got briefly excited thinking they’d actually 3D printed the real thing

Re: X-59 3D Printing

#6

Post by 650REDHAIR » Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 12:23 AM UTC

JKCalhoun wrote: post #2

If you have no 3D printer, .stl files are viewable in the Mac OS Finder. Just download the file, select it and hit the spacebar: a 3D rendering of the .stl can be rotated.

This is a really neat tip! Thanks!

Re: X-59 3D Printing

#7

Post by hbcondo714 » Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 12:58 AM UTC

JKCalhoun wrote: post #2

If you have no 3D printer, .stl files are viewable in the Mac OS Finder. Just download the file, select it and hit the spacebar: a 3D rendering of the .stl can be rotated.

Are there any particular 3D printers recommended for these NASA models?

Re: X-59 3D Printing

#8

Post by pdpi » Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 2:15 AM UTC

hbcondo714 wrote: post #7

JKCalhoun wrote: post #2

If you have no 3D printer, .stl files are viewable in the Mac OS Finder. Just download the file, select it and hit the spacebar: a 3D rendering of the .stl can be rotated.

Are there any particular 3D printers recommended for these NASA models?

Loaded up the models into my slicer, looks like a pretty straightforward print. Should print on anything "mainstream", I reckon. About 4h worth of printing on my Bambu P1S.

Re: X-59 3D Printing

#9

Post by justinclift » Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 2:22 AM UTC

Heh, wonder how well this would fly if done with a 3d metal printer and powered by an rc sized jet turbine engine?

Re: X-59 3D Printing

#10

Post by Hobadee » Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 2:43 AM UTC

> The X-59 experimental aircraft is approximately 100 feet long and is designed to fly at Mach 1.4 (925 mph).

I'm sorry, but my 3D printer isn't big enough to print a 100 foot long object, and I doubt PLA will hold up at Mach 1.4