This is SpaceX’s Dragon Capsule in LEGO and is a companion model to the Falcon 9 first stage rocket. The Dragon is the first private spacescraft to visit the international space station. This model features:
- Pressurized cargo hold.
- Ejectable nose cone.
- The unpressurized cargo ‘trunk’.
- Solar arrays stowed in the launch configuration.
- The second stage and merlin vacuum engine.
- Approx 1:124 scale (~16cm tall).
Construction:
| Quantity | Color | Description | Bricklink | LEGO Element ID* | |
 |
4 | Dark Stone Grey | Plate 2x2 Round | 4032 | 4211042 |
 |
1 | Brick Yellow | Slide Shoe 2x2 | 2654 | 4278422 |
 |
4 | Medium Stone Grey | Plate 4x4 Round W. Snap | 60474 | 4515351 |
 |
1 | White | Brick 4x4 Rround W. Ø4.9 W. KL. | 87081 | 4558956 |
 |
2 | White | Plate 4x4 Round W. Snap | 60474 | 4515347 |
 |
4 | Medium Stone Grey | Connector Peg W. Knob | 4274 | 4211483 |
 |
6 | White | Plate 1x2 | 302301 | 302301 |
 |
4 | White | Flat Tile 1x3 | 4558168 | 4558168 |
 |
1 | Dark Stone Grey | Cone 2x2x2 | 3942c | n/a |
 |
2 | White | Wall Element, Round 5x4x2 | 85941 | n/a |
 |
2 | White | Technic Brick 4x4 Round | 6222 | n/a |
 |
1 | White | Final Brick 2x2 | 553b | n/a |
 |
1 | White | Cone 4x4x2 | 3943b | n/a |
How to purchase parts:
Complete kits can be purchased from the RepRage convenience store.
Alternatively you could source components individually. Parts with a ‘LEGO Element ID’ listed above can be purchased directly from LEGO:
- Click ‘Bricks’
- Select ‘Pick a Brick’
- Search by ‘Element ID’ in the Advanced search box.
The parts with ‘n/a’ as the Element ID can be purchased from collectors. Bricklink is ebay for LEGO pieces, collectors have stores that sell used LEGO parts. The trick is to try and get as many of the parts from as few stores as possible (to save on shipping costs).
Custom Decals:
Using a decent ink jet printer, these decals can be printed on Avery 53203 decal paper. Multiples of each fit on a single sheet, allowance for any mistakes. These decals were assembled from photos, logos and the AXM paper models. You will need to trim the decals to size. The capsule decals are easier to fit if they are first cut into sections.
Download as:
How to support this project:
- Donate a few bucks.
- Hit me up in the comments below with model ideas and improvements.
- If you build one, send a picture!
Files:
- 2017-05-29-SpaceX-dragon.lxf - The Lego Digtal Designer file to help with making your own customisations.
Credits:
- Original construction techniques inspired by the LEGO set Space Port 60080.
- An anonymous SpaceX employee for suggestions on landing leg and Vacuum Merlin engine improvements.
- teamfatkid for assembling the decal sheet.
Edits:
- 2019/02/27 - Removed link to the defunct LEGO ideas project
- 2019/02/21 - Added link for purchasing complete parts kits.
- 2017/07/28 - Added details for printing decals.
Comments:
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Hi! Subconsciously you already know this, but let's make it obvious. Hopefully this article was helpful. You might also find yourself following a link to Amazon to learn more about parts or equipment. If you end up placing an order, I make a couple of dollarydoos. We aren't talking a rapper lifestyle of supercars and yachts, but it does help pay for the stuff you see here. So to everyone that supports this place - thank you.