Saxus' Rocket Models
@saxusrm.bsky.social
Fit check of the Saturn V on the platform has been completed.
November 2, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Fit check of the Saturn V on the platform has been completed.
Progress of yesterday's test build. So far, it looks pretty good - just a couple of small errors to fix in the guide.
Deck 0 and the structure below aren’t connected yet. A few pieces from previous steps aren't arrived yet.
Deck 0 and the structure below aren’t connected yet. A few pieces from previous steps aren't arrived yet.
October 30, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Progress of yesterday's test build. So far, it looks pretty good - just a couple of small errors to fix in the guide.
Deck 0 and the structure below aren’t connected yet. A few pieces from previous steps aren't arrived yet.
Deck 0 and the structure below aren’t connected yet. A few pieces from previous steps aren't arrived yet.
In parallel I works on optimizing the plans in the queue. Like some parts was available for limited time, I try to find alternative for them (for example: red 60476 was sold between 2012-14, it is hard to get enough quantity). 2/2
October 18, 2025 at 1:37 PM
In parallel I works on optimizing the plans in the queue. Like some parts was available for limited time, I try to find alternative for them (for example: red 60476 was sold between 2012-14, it is hard to get enough quantity). 2/2
What am I doing nowadays? First: I disassembled a bunch of old stuff and went through all of my part collection (probably more than 70k) to collect bricks for the projects what I want to build. I found about 26K from 64K what is my target for this year. 1/
October 18, 2025 at 1:37 PM
What am I doing nowadays? First: I disassembled a bunch of old stuff and went through all of my part collection (probably more than 70k) to collect bricks for the projects what I want to build. I found about 26K from 64K what is my target for this year. 1/
As @nighthawk11991.bsky.social said once: this size is a centerpiece of your room. If you want something more manageable, something that actually fits on a shelf, then the 1:160 (Artemis I set scale) is a better choice. Here is a comparison:
October 2, 2025 at 8:02 AM
As @nighthawk11991.bsky.social said once: this size is a centerpiece of your room. If you want something more manageable, something that actually fits on a shelf, then the 1:160 (Artemis I set scale) is a better choice. Here is a comparison:
It is done. I guess.
October 1, 2025 at 2:10 AM
It is done. I guess.
It’s been a while since I posted about the Saturn Mobile Launchers. Recently made progress on the Milkstool and the Saturn IB ML modifications. Here’s where the project stands now.
September 28, 2025 at 10:38 AM
It’s been a while since I posted about the Saturn Mobile Launchers. Recently made progress on the Milkstool and the Saturn IB ML modifications. Here’s where the project stands now.
This turned out to be harder than I expected.
September 23, 2025 at 12:33 AM
This turned out to be harder than I expected.
Things are slowly starting to emerge from the garage. After almost two years, the Ares I ML is finally out in the open again. It needs a bit of minor refurbishment, but considering what it went through during the move and the two exhibitions, it’s in pretty much perfect condition.
August 11, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Things are slowly starting to emerge from the garage. After almost two years, the Ares I ML is finally out in the open again. It needs a bit of minor refurbishment, but considering what it went through during the move and the two exhibitions, it’s in pretty much perfect condition.
Today I had a little time for CxP MTV. I worked on the bottom of the drop tank section and the Saddle Truss. I'm not fully convinced, but it's still more than yesterday. (Or two weeks ago). Also the house renovation is nearly complete, so finally I'll be able to move all Lego in.
August 3, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Today I had a little time for CxP MTV. I worked on the bottom of the drop tank section and the Saddle Truss. I'm not fully convinced, but it's still more than yesterday. (Or two weeks ago). Also the house renovation is nearly complete, so finally I'll be able to move all Lego in.
Been busy with renovations last lately, barely had time for LEGO - and after a month of intense Saturn V ML instruction grinding, I kinda burned out. Finally had some time and energy to start adapting the ML for Skylab 1 (instead of continuing CxP MTV). Total "find the 3-pixel difference" game.
July 22, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Been busy with renovations last lately, barely had time for LEGO - and after a month of intense Saturn V ML instruction grinding, I kinda burned out. Finally had some time and energy to start adapting the ML for Skylab 1 (instead of continuing CxP MTV). Total "find the 3-pixel difference" game.
If you're curious: The Crew Transfer Vehicle is 89 cm (35") long, the same length as an SLS Block 1. The solar panels are 46 cm (18") long. The cargo and habitat landers each measure 62 × 10 cm (24.5" × 4").
July 6, 2025 at 7:27 PM
If you're curious: The Crew Transfer Vehicle is 89 cm (35") long, the same length as an SLS Block 1. The solar panels are 46 cm (18") long. The cargo and habitat landers each measure 62 × 10 cm (24.5" × 4").
I thought I’d give the Mars Transfer Vehicle (MTV) from the Constellation era a try. Out of the various designs, I chose the most well-known one, the 'Copernicus' with 10m tank diameter.
Here’s a rough, very early version.
Here’s a rough, very early version.
July 6, 2025 at 3:27 AM
I thought I’d give the Mars Transfer Vehicle (MTV) from the Constellation era a try. Out of the various designs, I chose the most well-known one, the 'Copernicus' with 10m tank diameter.
Here’s a rough, very early version.
Here’s a rough, very early version.
The house renovation is going full steam - literally the kitchen is the only room untouched. Meanwhile, I'm deciding my next project: Saturn V-Skylab ML? Milkstool? Saturn-Shuttle? Constellation MTV? Or Shuttle stack? Anyway, don't expect many Lego updates in July.
July 1, 2025 at 11:08 AM
The house renovation is going full steam - literally the kitchen is the only room untouched. Meanwhile, I'm deciding my next project: Saturn V-Skylab ML? Milkstool? Saturn-Shuttle? Constellation MTV? Or Shuttle stack? Anyway, don't expect many Lego updates in July.
14 days and probably 50–60+ hours of layout work later: the final instruction page of the Saturn V ML is done.
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to do the test build before autumn - house renovations take priority now.
But finally, there will be proper space for the LEGO!
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to do the test build before autumn - house renovations take priority now.
But finally, there will be proper space for the LEGO!
June 22, 2025 at 11:55 PM
14 days and probably 50–60+ hours of layout work later: the final instruction page of the Saturn V ML is done.
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to do the test build before autumn - house renovations take priority now.
But finally, there will be proper space for the LEGO!
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to do the test build before autumn - house renovations take priority now.
But finally, there will be proper space for the LEGO!
802 pages are done (compressed from 2,242 pages), and making 100 pages takes ~3.5 hours. This means I already have around 25–30 hours just in layout work. The full ML is estimated to be between 1,800 and 2,100 pages. All my respect to those who do this for a living.
June 16, 2025 at 1:17 PM
802 pages are done (compressed from 2,242 pages), and making 100 pages takes ~3.5 hours. This means I already have around 25–30 hours just in layout work. The full ML is estimated to be between 1,800 and 2,100 pages. All my respect to those who do this for a living.
I've been thinking for a while about how to present this in an interesting way, but I have no ideas. Breaking it down into steps and doing the layout are the two most boring parts. A soulless grind. The former is done, and the latter is 42.6% complete. Next will be Level 160.
June 16, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I've been thinking for a while about how to present this in an interesting way, but I have no ideas. Breaking it down into steps and doing the layout are the two most boring parts. A soulless grind. The former is done, and the latter is 42.6% complete. Next will be Level 160.
Saturn V ML report: Step breakdown for
✅Platform
✅LUT levels 0-80
✅LUT levels 100-180
⏳LUT levels 200-280
⏳LUT levels 300-380
⏳Pipework
✅Hammerhead crane
✅TSM/Holddown
It’s a mind-numbing grind. I’ve been at it for two weeks now, and I still have half of the tower to go.
✅Platform
✅LUT levels 0-80
✅LUT levels 100-180
⏳LUT levels 200-280
⏳LUT levels 300-380
⏳Pipework
✅Hammerhead crane
✅TSM/Holddown
It’s a mind-numbing grind. I’ve been at it for two weeks now, and I still have half of the tower to go.
June 2, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Saturn V ML report: Step breakdown for
✅Platform
✅LUT levels 0-80
✅LUT levels 100-180
⏳LUT levels 200-280
⏳LUT levels 300-380
⏳Pipework
✅Hammerhead crane
✅TSM/Holddown
It’s a mind-numbing grind. I’ve been at it for two weeks now, and I still have half of the tower to go.
✅Platform
✅LUT levels 0-80
✅LUT levels 100-180
⏳LUT levels 200-280
⏳LUT levels 300-380
⏳Pipework
✅Hammerhead crane
✅TSM/Holddown
It’s a mind-numbing grind. I’ve been at it for two weeks now, and I still have half of the tower to go.
So whats up with Saturn V ML? I'm working on breaking the model down into building steps.
This is the first step toward creating the instructions, and it also helps find issues before a test build. It's slow, tedious, soul-crushing work - and there's nothing visually exciting about.
This is the first step toward creating the instructions, and it also helps find issues before a test build. It's slow, tedious, soul-crushing work - and there's nothing visually exciting about.
May 26, 2025 at 10:12 AM
So whats up with Saturn V ML? I'm working on breaking the model down into building steps.
This is the first step toward creating the instructions, and it also helps find issues before a test build. It's slow, tedious, soul-crushing work - and there's nothing visually exciting about.
This is the first step toward creating the instructions, and it also helps find issues before a test build. It's slow, tedious, soul-crushing work - and there's nothing visually exciting about.
The last element has been added to the Saturn V Mobile Launcher's design.
Sure, it's not the end of the process, but it's a huge milestone.
Sure, it's not the end of the process, but it's a huge milestone.
May 21, 2025 at 1:09 AM
The last element has been added to the Saturn V Mobile Launcher's design.
Sure, it's not the end of the process, but it's a huge milestone.
Sure, it's not the end of the process, but it's a huge milestone.
Good news: I’m done with the visible parts of the Saturn V Mobile Launcher!
There are still several steps left (internal structure, breaking it down into steps, test builds, etc.) - but this is definitely a major milestone.
There are still several steps left (internal structure, breaking it down into steps, test builds, etc.) - but this is definitely a major milestone.
May 7, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Good news: I’m done with the visible parts of the Saturn V Mobile Launcher!
There are still several steps left (internal structure, breaking it down into steps, test builds, etc.) - but this is definitely a major milestone.
There are still several steps left (internal structure, breaking it down into steps, test builds, etc.) - but this is definitely a major milestone.
Saturn V ML status update: I can confidently say that designing the various service arms is my least favorite part. Each arm takes hours and requires lots of redesigns before everything comes together. From the S-II Forward arm upward, they're done — 4 more to go.
May 4, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Saturn V ML status update: I can confidently say that designing the various service arms is my least favorite part. Each arm takes hours and requires lots of redesigns before everything comes together. From the S-II Forward arm upward, they're done — 4 more to go.
Yesterday I did another round with the SLS Block 1B. As is now official, the EUS LH2 tank will get a white coating for thermal protection. My biggest issue is that if I just recolor the EUS, it doesn’t really separate visually from the payload.
April 23, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Yesterday I did another round with the SLS Block 1B. As is now official, the EUS LH2 tank will get a white coating for thermal protection. My biggest issue is that if I just recolor the EUS, it doesn’t really separate visually from the payload.
I made some new renders of the Saturn V towers — now featuring the new hammerhead cranes. Still a work in progress, obviously.
April 16, 2025 at 12:24 AM
I made some new renders of the Saturn V towers — now featuring the new hammerhead cranes. Still a work in progress, obviously.
Haven’t worked much on the Saturn V ML lately—other duties, a couple books (highly recommend The Dispatcher by John Scalzi!), and honestly got a bit burned out by the endless piping. But over the weekend I finished the hammerhead crane + made an ASTP-specific version too.
April 14, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Haven’t worked much on the Saturn V ML lately—other duties, a couple books (highly recommend The Dispatcher by John Scalzi!), and honestly got a bit burned out by the endless piping. But over the weekend I finished the hammerhead crane + made an ASTP-specific version too.