ESA systems engineer Robin Biesbroek has recreated the Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) at ESA's ESTEC in the Netherlands using over 3000 LEGO pieces. This miniature model, designed as an exhibit for ESTEC's main corridor, was developed using Bricklink Studio and includes references to the classic LEGO LL928 Galaxy Explorer. The CDF is a key location for conducting 'pre-Phase A' studies of proposed space missions, assessing their feasibility before industrial development.
French model enthusiast Richard Plaud spent eight years building a 7.19m matchstick Eiffel Tower, only to be told by Guinness World Records that it didn't qualify because he used the wrong kind of matches. Despite using 706,900 matches and 23kg of glue, the matches he used were deemed not commercially available, thus disqualifying his record attempt. Plaud hopes to display his creation in Paris for the Olympics, while the current record for the tallest matchstick Eiffel Tower remains in Lebanon.
Mike Nevitt, a British Star Trek fan living in Denmark, is undertaking a five-year project to build a massive 1:25-scale model of the USS Enterprise from the original TV series. The model, which will be 40 feet long and 11 feet high, is set to become the largest in the world. Mike has been documenting his progress on his Mr. Trek YouTube channel, focusing on creating detailed test-models of the ship's interior. He aims to prioritize the mental health of the crew by including over 1,000 toilets and saunas in each crewmember's quarters. Mike is raising funds through Patreon and plans to use architectural foam and wood for the final version of the model.
