Open Government 2.0 is swinging into effect for several agencies, including NASA. The organization says a new directory online will detail “more than 100 participatory, collaborative and transparent projects, offering citizens opportunities to understand, support and engage with the agency.”

It’s nice to think that kids dreaming with the MakerBot Rocket Playset (above) will also have more outlets through which to interact with NASA and its plans for the future.

Lest you think this is simply a chance to plug the Open Government initiative, remember that MakerBot and Space are longtime friends. We sent Stephen Colbert’s head to space eight months ago.
 

We believe that this Thingiverse should commit itself to achieving the goal before the month is out of landing MakerBot People on the moon, and housing these daring adventurers there safely and productively in sight of the distant Earth, their home….

So stated President R.Maker in a recent address to the Congressional Assembly of Benevolent Moderators and the Citizens of Thingiverse… and we have breaking news to report. There has been touch down on the moon. I repeat, the MakerBot mission to the moon has now landed, and the MakerBot People are having a great time.

Yesterday, we introduced Michael “Skimbal” Curry’s MakerBot Fairytale Castle Playset. Now, we transport you thousands and thousands of miles away — to the MakerBot Moonbase Playset! Michael has clearly outdone himself with this lovely Flash Gordon / Buck Rogers / Tintin-inspired 1950s rocket playset centerpiece. Gizmodo declared this playset: “The Best Use of New MakerBot“!¹

And keep your eyes on the MakerBot Playset tag for the furniture, moon craters, Astronaut accessories and more, appearing even now. Special shout out to Thingiverse superstar PrettySmallThings for creating, and printing, such models as the Captain Kirk-style chair, Sleeping Pods, and other delights. Check out Thingiverse veteran Emmett’s OpenSCAD models for the Apollo Mission lander, the Radar Dish, and the translation of his stretchy bracelets into treads for a Moon Rover.

MakerBot Moonbase Rocket Playset and Astronauts

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1. Well, specifically referring to the ability to create “terrifying Lego Space Zombies” [↩]

Many of you have noticed a new banner (above) popping up at Thingiverse.com. Well, as this July contains both the 42nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing and the final launch of NASA’s Space Shuttle mission, we have declared July to be Space Month — and encourage everyone to join our Space Program!

July’s Notable Thingiverse Tag: “Space month”

We are eager to see your astronaut helmets, satellites, Mars rovers, rockets, UFOs, aliens, Space Camp badges, and anti-matter rayguns. Remember to tag your item “Space month” in Thingiverse!

MakerBot Make-A-Thon 2: MakerBots in Space

The MakerBot User Group New York (MUGNY) meeting will be returning to 3rd Ward this month. In this installment, we’ll be showing off some of the fruits of our collective Space Month labors, highlighting work uploaded to Thingiverse and tagged with “Space Month,” such as the Cartoon Rocketship, the cool statue “For All Mankind,” and, of course, a Space Shuttle Orbiter or two.

We’ll be printing Rockets, Astronauts, UFOs and Aliens in 3D. There will even be a space-themed 3D-printed Zoetrope, which will give a 21st century-spin on a centuries-old device. ((Also, check out the upcoming 3D Design and Printing with a MakerBot class taught by 3rd Ward’s Luke Schantz.))

MakerBot Make-A-Thon 2 // MakerBots in Space

Saturday, July 16, 2-6pm
195 Morgan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237
FREE admission

Note: RSVPs are required at 3rdward.com/rsvp