# Space Shuttle Discovery Solder Kit by Phyx ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/897/medium800/customer___partner_projects_DSC00998.jpg?1733000877) Welcome to the step-by-step guide for assembling your own Space Shuttle Discovery. Gather your supplies and get to it! This kit is built around 3 candle-like flickering LEDs, a switch and a CR2032 battery (which is not included, [get yours here](https://www.adafruit.com/product/654)) ## Preparatory Guides ### Adafruit Guide To Excellent Soldering - Tools [Adafruit Guide To Excellent Soldering](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-guide-excellent-soldering) [Tools](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-guide-excellent-soldering/tools) ## Parts ### Space Shuttle Discovery Solder Kit by Phyx [Space Shuttle Discovery Solder Kit by Phyx](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5414) Create a mini 3D version of the [Space Shuttle STS Discovery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Discovery) with this beautifully designed soldering kit from **[Phyx](http://phyx.be/),** our maker friends in... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5414) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5414/guides) ![Rotational video of assembled space shuttle figurine.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/5414-02.jpg) ### CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery [CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery](https://www.adafruit.com/product/654) A perfect match for our [sew-able coin cell holder](http://www.adafruit.com/products/653). This non-rechargeable coin cell is CR2032 sized: 20mm diameter, 3.2mm thick. It has a nominal voltage output of 3V (although it starts a little high at 3.2V and slowly drifts down to 2.5V as... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/654) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/654/guides) ![Front shot of CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery upright.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/654-02.jpg) ## Tools **Soldering Iron:** You'll need a decent soldering iron. Adafruit has a selection [here](https://www.adafruit.com/category/559). **Solder:** We typically use 0.8mm or thicker solder wire for this. See on Adafruit [here](https://www.adafruit.com/category/631). ### Flush diagonal cutters [Flush diagonal cutters](https://www.adafruit.com/product/152) These are the best diagonal cutters, large super-comfortable grip to use and have strong nippers for perfect trimming of wires and leads. I've used my pair every day for years. In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/152) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/152/guides) ![Red and black diagonal flush cutters](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/152-02.jpg) ### Optional - File or sand paper to smooth the rough edges - Helping Third Hand (this can be mechanical or from an actual person). Check out some at Adafruit [here](https://www.adafruit.com/category/579). - Solder Sucker and/or Solder Wick ### Solder sucker [Solder sucker](https://www.adafruit.com/product/148) Strangely enough, that's the technical term for this desoldering vacuum tool. Useful in cleaning up mistakes, every electrical engineer has one of these on their desk. To use, depress the end to engage the vacuum. Then heat up the to-be-desoldered joint until it is liquid. With your... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/148) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/148/guides) ![Long thin solder sucker with knurled handle](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/148-04.jpg) ### Solder wick - 1.5mm wide and 1.5m / 5 feet long [Solder wick - 1.5mm wide and 1.5m / 5 feet long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/149) Used along with the solder sucker to clean up soldering messes. Wick really comes in handy when soldering or desoldering surface-mount parts. Even if you don't have the best iron for SMT work, a bit of wick will fix it up. 1.5mm wick, and 1.5m long, so you have plenty to work... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/149) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/149/guides) ![Spool of solder wick with 1.5mm wide wick coming out.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/149-07.jpg) # Space Shuttle Discovery Solder Kit by Phyx ## Solder it! Overview of parts included in the kit (note the CR2032 coin cell battery is [**not included**](http://www.adafruit.com/product/654)). You'll need to get one separately. ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00978.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/873/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00978.jpg?1732997917) ![customer___partner_projects_5414-00.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/576/medium640/customer___partner_projects_5414-00.jpg?1731159854) Depanelize the PCB by carefully bending the PCB on the mouse bites. ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00979.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/869/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00979.jpg?1732997680) ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00980.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/870/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00980.jpg?1732997711) Optionally clean the rough edges with some sand paper or a file.  ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00981.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/871/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00981.jpg?1732997754) ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00982.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/872/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00982.jpg?1732997830) Mount the first LED on the Space Shuttle body. Pay attention to the "+" symbol indicated on the PCB, this is where the **long lead** of the LED goes. Do not push the LED all the way flush with the board, rather keep a little distance so you can bed the LED to the back before soldering. ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00983.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/877/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00983.jpg?1732998241) ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00984.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/878/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00984.jpg?1732998217) ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00983_-_Copy.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/980/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00983_-_Copy.jpg?1733684667) Warning: You should use eye protection when cutting parts to avoid injury. Using flush cutter to trim the soldered leads. Hold the leads when cutting to prevent them flying away. Preferably you should wear eye protection during this step. ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00986.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/880/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00986.jpg?1732998327) Now it's time to mount the 2 LEDs on the wing. Just like the previous LED, make sure to bend the LEDs towards the back before soldering them in place and cutting off the leads. ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00987.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/883/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00987.jpg?1732998651) Next up is soldering the baseplate. Gather the base PCB, battery holder and slide switch. ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00988.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/884/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00988.jpg?1732998757) Start by mounting the CR2032 battery holder. Pay attention to the arrow on the PCB indicating the chamfered edge on the battery holder. A tip for properly mounting this SMD part: start by tinning one of the pads before mounting the battery holder. Then heat up the pad and slide in the part to the correct position before removing the heat and keeping it in the right spot. ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00989.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/885/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00989.jpg?1732998860) ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00988_-_Copy.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/981/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00988_-_Copy.jpg?1733684713) The switch is to be inserted on the same side as the battery holder.  ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00990.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/886/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00990.jpg?1732998966) ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00991.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/887/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00991.jpg?1732999005) Assemble the Space Shuttle by sliding the stem of the body through the hole in the wings. **Solder only 1 side for now! ** ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00992.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/888/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00992.jpg?1732999429) ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00993.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/889/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00993.jpg?1732999468) It's very likely the body is mounted a bit crooked on the the wings. Heat up the solder joint again while holding the Space Shuttle body and wings in the other hand. Slowly maneuver the boards in the correct position once the solder joint has heated up sufficiently. Once the orientation is to you liking, lock it down by soldering the second solder joint on the bottom. **Don't be stingy with the solder on these joints!** ![customer___partner_projects_PXL_20241129_203317851.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/890/medium640/customer___partner_projects_PXL_20241129_203317851.jpg?1732999721) ![customer___partner_projects_PXL_20241129_203343802.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/891/medium640/customer___partner_projects_PXL_20241129_203343802.jpg?1732999750) Pay attention to the "+" markings when mounting the Space Shuttle on the base. These should line up resulting on the the LEDs pointing in the same direction as the slide switch. Use the same approach as shown in the previous step to achieve the optimal mounting angle to your liking. ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00994.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/892/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00994.jpg?1733000019) ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00994.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/982/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00994.jpg?1733684763) Some caution is required when mounting the battery, slide it underneath the hooks on the front side with the "+" side facing up before pressing down ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00996.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/893/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00996.jpg?1733000202) ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00997.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/894/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00997.jpg?1733000235) The only thing left to do is slide that switch to the "ON" side and marvel at your work! ![customer___partner_projects_DSC00998.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/133/895/medium640/customer___partner_projects_DSC00998.jpg?1733000477) # Space Shuttle Discovery Solder Kit by Phyx ## Download You can find the source files for this [OSHWA certified](https://certification.oshwa.org/be000007.html) design on [GitHub](https://github.com/phyx-be/STS). ## Files for revision 01 - [Schematic in PDF](https://github.com/phyx-be/STS/blob/main/design/STS.01/OUTPUT/STS.01.PDF) - [Gerber files of the PCB](https://github.com/phyx-be/STS/tree/main/design/STS.01/OUTPUT/Gerber) - [Source files (Altium Designer)](https://github.com/phyx-be/STS/tree/main/design/STS.01) ## Primary Products ### Space Shuttle Discovery Solder Kit by Phyx [Space Shuttle Discovery Solder Kit by Phyx](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5414) Create a mini 3D version of the [Space Shuttle STS Discovery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Discovery) with this beautifully designed soldering kit from **[Phyx](http://phyx.be/),** our maker friends in... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5414) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5414/guides) ## Featured Products ### CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery [CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery](https://www.adafruit.com/product/654) A perfect match for our [sew-able coin cell holder](http://www.adafruit.com/products/653). This non-rechargeable coin cell is CR2032 sized: 20mm diameter, 3.2mm thick. It has a nominal voltage output of 3V (although it starts a little high at 3.2V and slowly drifts down to 2.5V as... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/654) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/654/guides) ### Flush diagonal cutters [Flush diagonal cutters](https://www.adafruit.com/product/152) These are the best diagonal cutters, large super-comfortable grip to use and have strong nippers for perfect trimming of wires and leads. I've used my pair every day for years. In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/152) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/152/guides) ### Solder sucker [Solder sucker](https://www.adafruit.com/product/148) Strangely enough, that's the technical term for this desoldering vacuum tool. Useful in cleaning up mistakes, every electrical engineer has one of these on their desk. To use, depress the end to engage the vacuum. Then heat up the to-be-desoldered joint until it is liquid. With your... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/148) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/148/guides) ### Solder wick - 1.5mm wide and 1.5m / 5 feet long [Solder wick - 1.5mm wide and 1.5m / 5 feet long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/149) Used along with the solder sucker to clean up soldering messes. Wick really comes in handy when soldering or desoldering surface-mount parts. Even if you don't have the best iron for SMT work, a bit of wick will fix it up. 1.5mm wick, and 1.5m long, so you have plenty to work... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/149) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/149/guides) ## Related Guides - [Glowing Hair Flowers with n00ds](https://learn.adafruit.com/glowing-hair-flowers-with-n00ds.md) - [Stepper Motor Turntable](https://learn.adafruit.com/stepper-motor-turntable.md) - [Cartoon Character Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/cartoon-character-clock.md) - [Use circup to easily keep your CircuitPython libraries up to date](https://learn.adafruit.com/keep-your-circuitpython-libraries-on-devices-up-to-date-with-circup.md) - [LED Noodle Shop Sign](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-noodle-shop-sign.md) - [Make It Glow: How to Solder NeoPixels, A Beginner's Guide](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-glow-how-to-solder-neopixels-a-beginners-guide.md) - [Reindeer Solder Kit by Phyx](https://learn.adafruit.com/reindeer-solder-kit-by-phyx.md) - [Desk Calculator with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/desk-calculator-with-circuitpython.md) - [reef-pi Guide 4: Water Level Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/reef-pi-water-level-controller.md) - [LOVE Light](https://learn.adafruit.com/love-light.md) - [SMT Manufacturing](https://learn.adafruit.com/smt-manufacturing.md) - [Remote Control with the Huzzah + Adafruit.io](https://learn.adafruit.com/remote-control-with-the-huzzah-plus-adafruit-io.md) - [Assembling Infinity Shred's, "Datadealer," synthesizer](https://learn.adafruit.com/assembling-infinity-shreds-datadealer-synthesizer.md) - [IoT Moon Phase Guide](https://learn.adafruit.com/moon-phase.md) - [4x12 Ortho Mechanical Keyboard](https://learn.adafruit.com/4x12-ortho-mechanical-keyboard.md)