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NASA Just Spent $500,000 on Wooden Space Station Models

By Keith Cowing
NASA Watch
March 24, 2015
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Reader note: “This isn’t the first time NASA has spent $500000 with Gamla. Here is the ISS model they did for NASA Goddard as shown on Gamla’s website. http://www.lifeinscale.net/ISS_model-Goddard_Center.asp
Keith’s note: What does NASA do with these models? They seem to order them every year. I have asked before but never have recieved an answer. Then again given what they spent to re-do Mike Suffredini’s conference room, who cares, right?
NASA JSC Solicitation: International Space Station Models, 2014, earlier post
NASA Solicitation: Space Station Models, 2014, earlier post
NASA Solicitation: Scale Models on International Space Station With Logistic Vehicles, 2008, earlier post

NASA Watch founder, Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA, Away Teams, Journalist, Space & Astrobiology, Lapsed climber.

11 responses to “NASA Just Spent $500,000 on Wooden Space Station Models”

  1. Patrick Bane says:
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    In many cases, these models are used as a recognition token for Space Flight Honorees; these men & women are selected amongst their peers as having represented the best in support to the endeavor of safe, reliable, cost effective space flight. I commend NASA for recognizing the need to highlight the accomplishments of their employees, contractors & suppliers.

    • kcowing says:
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      How many college educations could you get for $500,000?

      • Patrick Bane says:
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        In today’s higher education sector – maybe 5 or 6!!!

        NASA exists to inspire science and education, not fund it. That said, I’m sure there is waste in NASA like every government agency, but I’ve seen firsthand their commitment to excellence – and that involves supporting & inspiring the talent they do have. We’re talking thousands of people, so $500K spread over the bunch comes at a pretty small price to show people they are valuable assets. It’s a shame other organization / corporations don’t do the same – especially in an era of degrading pay & benefits.

        • Yale S says:
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          6 teachers is a vastly better investment than some wooden models.
          If inspiring is the purpose then $500k for funding astronauts – particulary women and minority – to tour schools is a better investment then wooden presentation models.

  2. Robert van de Walle says:
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    3D print the thing.

  3. Yale S says:
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    They can get a very nice model here:
    http://www.revell.de/en/pro

    Buy it for $100 at Amazon (hey, with FREE SHIPPING!):
    http://www.amazon.com/REVEL

  4. Mark_Flagler says:
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    I remember seeing a great many such models from the Apollo era in the offices of Bob Seamans (at MIT) and Brainerd Holmes (at Raytheon) around 1970. The Apollo/Saturn V models were about five feet high–impressive. However I seriously doubt that all of them put together cost $500,000. I would also contend that these souvenirs were well earned.

  5. jamesmuncy says:
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    Per the company’s website, for the 2014 order NASA told them to remove Shuttle and Orion and ATV as visiting vehicles, and add Dragon and Cygnus. I wonder if they’ll add Dragon2 and CST-100 before 2017…

    • kcowing says:
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      Jim, you know the answer. Instead of making the models plug and play (i.e. so you could hang different things off of it) NASA simply pays to redesign the entire model instead.

  6. Matt Johnson says:
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    I hope they at least spread the model construction contract out among several key political districts around the country.

  7. Moon Day 2014 says:
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    Golly, it would be very cool to display an ISS model in conjunction with our ARISS Uplink at this year’s Moon Day event in Dallas. But I know better. So I’ve contacted our local LEGO Users Group about building us a scale model ISS for the event, which they’re working on.

    Most discouraging is how difficult it has been to scrounge up ISS-related stuff to complement the ARISS Uplink. Destination: Station exhibit? No, unavailable. ISS Display Panels? No, unavailable. ISS Informational literature to distribute? No (except for some CASIS bookmarks and maybe some ‘Spot the ISS’ postcards). ISS visitors? Well, Anousheh Ansari has volunteered to come give a presentation, but without a budget to work with (as the museum hasn’t been able to find anyone local interested in underwriting/sponsoring our space-themed, STEM-focused event) bringing someone up from Houston is a non-starter.

    Anyone got any ideas on other ways that I can share the value of the ISS with the North Texas community?