Land Your Own Dragon: New SpaceX Spacecraft Models Unveiled

Proach Models' new 1:48 scale Dragon spacecraft model is among the company's new line of SpaceX-licensed replicas
Proach Models' new 1:48 scale Dragon spacecraft model is among the company's new line of SpaceX-licensed replicas (Image credit: Proach Models)

This story was updated at 11:59 p.m. ET.

As the first commercial spacecraft to fly to the International Space Station prepares to return to Earth, the company behind the history-making capsule has made it possible for its fans to land their own Dragon.

The California-based Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, has licensed Canada-based Proach Models to create the first commercially-available models of Dragon spacecraft and Falcon rockets. The first of its kind deal was launched within hours of SpaceX seeing its Dragon spacecraft successfully attached to the complex on May 25.

Less than a week later, after having been unpacked of its cargo and repacked with return items, the real Dragon is ready to depart the outpost, re-enter the atmosphere and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of the United States on Thursday (May 31).

The privately-designed Dragon capsule is scheduled to be detached from the station via robotic arm at 4:05 a.m. EDT (0805 GMT), and released into its own orbit by 5:35 a.m. EDT (0935 GMT) to land back on Earth at 11:44 a.m. EDT (1544 GMT).

Dragon enthusiasts will need to wait a bit longer for the replicas to touchdown on their doorstep. Proach Models is now accepting pre-orders for the newly-announced models with first delivery expected in approximately three months. [Dragon Capsule's Space Station Arrival (Pictures)]

The Proach Models' line of SpaceX displays, which build upon the company's line of spacecraft and rocket models first introduced in 1994, includes both the capsule and its launch vehicle, as well other versions of SpaceX's rockets.

The real Dragon stands 19 feet tall (5.9 meters) and 12 feet wide (3.7 m). At 1/48 scale, the Proach Models' version is 4.75 inches by 3 inches (12 by 8 centimeters), not including its miniature solar array wings and display stand.

The model capsule includes thruster details and both the SpaceX and Dragon logos.

Proach is offering the hand-crafted and finished spacecraft for a special introductory price of $395.

If rockets are more to your liking, Proach is also offering a 1/72 scale model of the 18-story tall Falcon 9 that stands over 2 feet tall (0.6 meters) and is topped with a small Dragon (3 inches, or 8 centimeters). The Falcon comes with a black walnut base and a nameplate.

The Falcon 9 rocket with Dragon retails for $1,395.

These are the same replicas that Proach Models has been crafting for SpaceX for the company's use since 2009.

"SpaceX is a great company to work with and we are very happy for their success," Nick Proach, Proach Models CEO, said. "We look forward to working more closely with SpaceX as they continue to lead the way in commercial spaceflight."

Proach is also offering a Falcon 9 with a scale version of a 17-foot (5 m) fairing for satellite launches, and the Falcon Heavy, the company's heavy-lift rocket. All the models are available in 1/72 scale and measure between 26 and 30 inches tall (66 and 76 cm), depending on the version.

Proach also plans a 1/48 scale Falcon 1E, based on the upgraded version of SpaceX's first launch vehicle.

The Proach Models' line of SpaceX replicas is ready for display out of the box.

SpaceX earlier introduced its own model of the Falcon 9 with Dragon that requires some assembly, and can then blast off on its own scaled space (or at least atmospheric) missions.

First offered in celebration of the one-year anniversary of its first Dragon test flight in 2010, SpaceX released a 1:88 flying model rocket replicating its history-making vehicles.

The model kit, which comes with everything you need to build (but not fly, model rocket engines not included) the Dragon-topped Falcon, stands 23 inches tall (58 cm). The kit can be ordered through Amazon.com for $30 (although is currently listed as out of stock).

Click through to collectSPACE.com to see more photos of the Proach Models’ line of SpaceX-licensed spacecraft and rocket models.

This story was updated to correct the metric height of the 1/72 scale Falcon 9 rocket model by Proach Models. The model is over 2 feet (0.6 meters) tall.

Follow collectSPACE on Facebook and Twitter @collectSPACE and editor Robert Pearlman @robertpearlman. Copyright 2012 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved

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Robert Z. Pearlman
collectSPACE.com Editor, Space.com Contributor

Robert Pearlman is a space historian, journalist and the founder and editor of collectSPACE.com, an online publication and community devoted to space history with a particular focus on how and where space exploration intersects with pop culture. Pearlman is also a contributing writer for Space.com and co-author of "Space Stations: The Art, Science, and Reality of Working in Space” published by Smithsonian Books in 2018. He previously developed online content for the National Space Society and Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin, helped establish the space tourism company Space Adventures and currently serves on the History Committee of the American Astronautical Society, the advisory committee for The Mars Generation and leadership board of For All Moonkind. In 2009, he was inducted into the U.S. Space Camp Hall of Fame in Huntsville, Alabama. In 2021, he was honored by the American Astronautical Society with the Ordway Award for Sustained Excellence in Spaceflight History.