<h3>Europa Clipper Model 2024A Version</h3>

This is a model for anyone who wants to see Europa Clipper's major components and all the science instruments, and manipulate the solar-array-radar wings.

See also the smaller, far simpler, and more robust version, <A href="https://www.thingiverse.comhttps://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5995293&quot; target="new">Tiny Clipper</A>.

The spacecraft's X, Y & Z body axes are plainly marked on the model. Attitude Control components shown include the two Stellar Reference Units, two pairs of Sun Sensors, the four Reaction Wheels, and the four Rocket Engine Modules. Propulsion module, too, of course. Communications and Gravity Science components include the High-Gain Antenna, the HGA Radome Sunshield, the Medium-Gain Antenna, three Low-Gain Antennas, and three Fan Beam Antennas. To identify the instruments and spacecraft components, use this wonderful Europa Clipper Project spacecraft interactive visualization website:

<A href="https://www.thingiverse.comhttps://europa.nasa.gov/spacecraft/meet-europa-clipper&quot; target="new">europa.nasa.gov/spacecraft/meet-europa-clipper</A>

<b>Printing:</b> All the model's components are designed to be simple enough for FDM flat-bed printing* so you can just carry the .stl files to your nearby desktop 3D printer's "slicing" software, and use its default settings without any rafts or support material required. Also, there is a single-file whole Body.stl file for anyone using SLS or SLA or equivalent "whole-object" 3D printers.

<b>Scale:</b> If printed as-is with no size adjustment, the scale is approximately 1:106. This version successfully reproduces key visual cues and technical details; in future versions, design tweaks might further improve scale accuracy. Enlargements have been successfully printed (see Thing #5320315 for the robust 1:30-ish version <A href="https://www.thingiverse.comhttps://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5320315&quot; target="blank"> here</A>).

<b>Wings:</b> Add some maroon-colored masking tape, or glue on the solar-cell images provided, to represent the photovoltaic solar cells (or, you might want to create higher-resolution images than the file sizes permitted on Thingiverse). Snip off the REASON VHF antennas, remove their sprues, and press onto the connectors on panel edges (see images). Glue in place perpendicular to the solar wings. Add the longer REASON HF antennas (see photos), one on each wing.

<b>Version 2024A:</b> This Version adds the Plume Shield down near the base of the Magnetometer Boom (ECM), and makes the 16 minus-W thrusters more printable.

No revisions had been expected to the actual spacecraft design that would be visible in the model before launch in October, 2024. But then two months before launch, a Plume Shield was added to protect the stowed magnetometers from rocket engine exhaust. This 2024A Version should remain useful now, well into the Mission's Phase E, flight operations. Check back here for new files with minor updates. The files available here might be unceremoniously updated for little improvements once in a while, without incurring an "official" Version increment; the Print-file listing shows the date each file is updated.

<b>New Encapsulated Version:</b>

Look elsewhere on Thingiverse for a new version of this Europa Clipper model that has its solar arrays and magnetometer boom in stowed configuration, and includes pieces that represent the Falcon Heavy fairing and launch vehicle adaptor.

<hr><font size="2">*FDM: Fused Deposition Modeling, the most common desktop kind these days. SLS is Selective Laser Sintering, which forms the object as it "floats" in a bed of powder. SLA is Stereo Lithography, which uses liquid.
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