Artemis Orion - A Scratch Build

Here's a flying model of the Artemis Orion Spacecraft.

It's powered by a 29mm and is a Mid-Eject rocket. The display stand makes it stable in flight, and a nice desk display model when not at the field.

2026-01-31

Created the CAD model of the body section, and planed, cut and glued the wood to turn the body.

2026-02-01

Turned the body of the Artemis Orion today. It was quite challenging but I've got some good workable pieces. They'll need some glue repairs, but that shouldn't be much of a challenge.

Something happened during the cryo stir, and the side of the Propulsion Stage blew out... Go figure, right?

The "snout" on top of the capsule is for a "center" in the lathe, it'll be removed once everything is finish sanded.

2026-02-02 Started gluing the side back onto the Propulsion Stage

2026-02-04

So now that the repairs are done to the Propulsion Stage I cleaned up the counter bore of the Lower Section and then did some glue repairs to the Upper Section.

2026-02-05

Chucked the Upper Segment into the lathe and used a file to get the patch to conform with the body. Still needs a little work, but it's much better.

Also worked on the CAD drawings.... Rev 01

2026-02-06

Cut the Motor Tube, The Ejection Gas Dowel, 4" Ring Fin and the (3) Support Fins

Installed the Dowel into the Motor Tube, then glued it into the Lower Section using Gorilla Wood Glue. Also, flame proofed the internal counter bore of the Lower Section using some Titebond Q&T.

2026-02-08 Lower Segment CWF

Applied some CWF, let it dry and then sanded the Lower Segment.

I decided against the Support Fins. The holes are for the Support Rods that will attach the Ring Fin. Having the Support Rods actually doweled into the Lower Segment should provide for a nice strong attachments.

Also installed the Lag Screw Eye for the Recovery Hardware.