Zarya - Functional Cargo Block (FGB)
Zarya - Functional Cargo Block (FGB) |
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Last updated 2 Aug 2006
Zarya was the first module of the ISS in orbit. It was launched aboard a Russian Proton rocket on Nov. 20, 1998.
As for any of the modules, the first essential step is to study the photos of the actual hardware on-orbit. Here are some good shots from the first several missions to the ISS:
Zarya's zenith side:
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Forward zenith view:
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Aft view:
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Close-up of zenith antennae and insulation blankets:
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Starboard side, with Unity attached:
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Nadir side, with unity attached:
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With Zvezda:
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The RealSpace resin Zarya comes in two pieces: the main module including the forward docking node, and the aft docking cone. They both need to be sanded from their pour plugs, my least favorite part of resin models.
Here's a few shots of the RealSpace Zarya module being prepped. It gives you a good sense of the level of detail here - there are even individual thruster nozzles molded in! (Although this is where a poorly-placed air bubble can ruin your day - now I have to make 1 more nozzle to match the others...
I found some of the detail on the module a bit heavy - for example, the coolant pipes on the side radiators seem a bit out of scale, so I sanded them down slightly to make them less prominent. Same with the ridges on the large white panels - the kit has them too pronounced, so I sanded them and used Mr. Surfacer 500 to smooth them out a bit. This isn't a complaint about the kit parts; it's much easier to sand slightly than to detail all that tubing from scratch!
The next step is to think about how you'll keep the model together. ISS is designed to work in space, but here with 1g, it won't stay together well. I decided to use welding rod to pin the modules together. I drilled the hole into the forward docking node before attaching the aft docking cone; it's much easier to drill holes when the bottom is still flat.
My next step will be to finish sanding the panels, and then give it all a nice primer coat.
