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Space X Dragon Capsule... A Scratch Build

The Space X Dragon Capsule is such a cool design...

This one is powered by (4) 18MM motors in a tractor motor arrangement. They fit nicely in the Draco Engine pods. There's also another 18mm motor in the spool for extra thrust and to eject the spool out the rear of the rocket.

It's based on a 4" nominal body diameter and end up as a pretty straight forward design, should look impressive when completed.

2026-01-18 With Graphics

I spent a little time this afternoon formulating a plan to turn the capsule and drill the (4) canted motor holes. For me this is a huge part of the challenge of model rocketry, figuring out how to make the parts by myself, using the tools I have available in the barn.

We'll see how this "turns" out (shameless pun) and if successful, I'll knock out the rest of the drawings.

2026-01-19 Crew Capsule, Rev 02

Wooden Buck, Gluing

2026-01-20 Cut the Wooden Buck to size on the Table Saw.

2026-02-25 Bored the (4) 3/4" Dia. "Draco Motor" holes, and prepped the block for turning on the wood lathe.

2026-02-28 Turned the Crew Capsule... came out pretty nice.

2026-03-02 Lag Screw Eye and The "Plan" for the Draco Motor Cover Pods

Drilled, glued and screwed the Lag Screw Eye into the top of the Crew Compartment.

Also, fitted a piece of BT-20 Tube (Estes 18MM Motor Mount) into the previously drilled holes. So that'll work well once I buy a 34" long piece to make them from.

Draco Motor Cover Pods

So the plan is to cut some 1/8" Basswood for the sides, and to fit a pre-cut 1/8" Balsa cover that'll form to the Basswood and the Pine Ogive of the Crew Compartment. That'll be really similar to the Open Rocket simulation.

2026-03-03 Draco Motor Pods

Fired up the CAD station and made a drawing for the Draco Motor Pods. Then glued up some 1/8" Balsa to make some 1/2" Balsa Plywood.

The "revised plan" is to cut the blocks perimeter, glue them to the capsule, then turn their O.D. on the wood lathe.

2026-04-05

Cut / Sanded the Draco Motor Pods using a Scroll Saw and Belt Sander. Then started gluing them to the Crew Capsule.

Again, keep in mind the glued sub-assy will be chucked in the wood lathe and the Motor Pods sanded to shape.

2026-03-06

Chucked the capsule into the lathe and sanded the Draco Pods down to specification.

2026-03-07

I fireproofed the area of the crew capsule where the motor ejection charge will impinge, and updated the drawing set to Rev 03.

I'm leaning toward no motor at all at the base... just the Draco Motors.

2026-03-08 Cut the BT-400 and BT-80H tubes, as well as the (4) fins.

Glued the tubes in place. Also, design wise, deleted the rear eject spool. I'll just place the chute in the BT-80H and hold it in place with a Nitrile glove stretched over the back. Less (weight) is more (better).

2026-03-10 Gluing Fins To Trunk

2026-03-25 Swing Test

Passed the swing test. This is yet another short stubby rocket that when simulating the flight, base drag shows just how stable it is.

You Tube Video Of Swing Test

2026-05-12 Attached the Launch Lug

2026-06-20 Motor Tubes

(Sorry for the delay.... I had to order some T-20 Body Tube from BMS)

Just your basic T-20 motor tubes and thrust rings. Cut the thrust rings from a spent C6 motor casing. Thrust rings were glued into the BT-20 Tubes, and then these sub-assy's were glued into the Dragon Capsule. Once these dry I'll sand them down flush.