Reader Input
Notes from readers like you.Page 05
Make: 69 — Space Geek
There’s never been a better time to be an amateur space explorer! From high school programs designed to send real student-led experiments to the International Space Station, to building a working VTVL (vertical take off, vertical landing) model rocket like the one from SpaceX, this issue is packed full of projects with actual space applications. And if a space aesthetic is more to your liking for your earthly abode, we’ve got a giant light-up full moon to hang on your wall and desktop orreries to simulate the movement of the planets around the sun.
Plus 38 more great projects:
- Program a bot that points to the ISS when overhead
- Learn to laser-cut EVA foam to customize any cosplay creation
- Build a light-up acrylic rainbow that changes colors to tell the weather
- Make a cardboard camera that uses sun prints for film
- And much more!
On the Cover: NASA’s Astrobee robots are ISS-bound semi-autonomous helpers that students can access and control on the space station, as part of the Zero Robotics competition.
Table of Contents
Columns
Welcome: 15 Years of Make:
Dale Dougherty
Make: Founder Dale Dougherty reflects on the impact makers have had over the last 15 years.Page 06
Made on Earth
Backyard builds from around the globe.Page 08
Features
Sin City Cleans Up
Eric Steuer
Seven years in, the Downtown Las Vegas project — and a bevy of makers — have transformed a forgotten part of the city. Page 14
Fur Sale
Elan Lee
How an Exploding Kittens vending machine sparked convention joy, one random item at a time. Page 18
Around the World
Sandra Ibrahim
No matter where you are, there’s a Maker Faire happening near you. Page 22
Special Section: Space Geek
Space Geek
Mike Senese
With so many incredible opportunities — amateur and pro — there’s no better time to build something for space.Page 24
Fly Like SpaceX
Joe Barnard and Keith Hammond
Build your own thrust-vectored model rockets and learn the same tricks as Elon — even vertical landings!Page 30
Imagination Exploration
Craig Couden
Bring the cosmos closer with these space-themed projects.Page 36
Lunar Mission
Caleb Kraft
No power tools necessary to make this impressive, giant backlit moon.Page 38
Where in the World Is the ISS??
Keith Hammond
Build your own gadgets to locate humanity’s only space outpost as it hurtles overhead.Page 40
Build an Easy ISS Notifier
Eduardo Alacrón, Bram Torrekens, Mendy Yu, and Spencer Chlebina
Fly an astronaut flag every time the space station passes over your home.Page 42
Galactic Gears
TokyLabs
A multitude of materials lend themselves to creating orreries — mechanical models of the planets.Page 43
Experimental Thinking
Ted Tagami
Magnitude.io wants to make it easy for kids everywhere to access science in space.Page 44
Habitats for Humanity
Melodie Yashar
The Martian bases of the future may be made from 3D printed dirt and ice.Page 48
Bioinspired Bots
Matthew Borgatti and Kari Love
Many NASA-funded soft robotic rover concepts evoke living creatures.Page 50
Skill Builder
Cosmic Cosplay
Sophy Wong
Customize any costume with realistic details using laser-cut EVA foam.Page 52
Galactic Garments
Caleb Kraft
Find cosplay inspiration in these space-themed fashions.Page 55
Projects
Edge-Lit Acrylic Rainbow
Debra Ansell
Explore light piping and color mixing in edge-lit acrylic with this fun LED weather display.Page 56
DIY Cyanotype Camera
Josh Lewis
Use blue “sun print” paper to take unique UV photos with a cardboard camera.Page 62
Remaking History: Jean Charles Athanase Peltier and the Peltier Effect
William Gurstelle
Build a desktop coaster that keeps your coffee warm — or cold! — with the flip of a switch.Page 66
Sat-Dish Bird Bath
John Pedersen
Upcycle a TV satellite dish and give back to nature.Page 69
DIY Kaleidoscope Fabric
Poppy Mosbacher
Use this easy app to create your own custom fabric prints from images.Page 70
The GoonieBox
Guido Bonelli
How one maker built an intriguing, interactive puzzle table inspired by the cult classic movie.Page 72
Toy Inventor's Notebook: Spin ’N Spill Balancing Bot Game
Bob Knetzger
Stack the gears onto the tippy balancing robot for a fun and easy action game.Page 74
Toolbox
Toolbox
Gear up with reviews of the latest tools and kits for makers.Page 76
Show & Tell
Show & Tell
Dazzling projects from our inventive readers.Page 80
