Meet the Maker: Andrew Barth

Andrew Barth is the exceptional engineering student who modeled the various intricate mechanics of the Apollo 11 Command Module hatch using Fusion 360.

Where to start when talking about Andrew Barth, “mission engineer” of Project Egress? Well, we’ll start here: This engineering student is nothing short of extraordinary. Drawing from 3D scan data and original technical drawings from Air and Space’s archives, Andrew modeled the various intricate mechanics of the Apollo 11 Command Module hatch using Fusion 360. Then he separated the digital model into its individual mechanical components for our collaborating makers to replicate.

Andrew was absolutely key to the making of this replica. Read on to get to know Andrew better.

About: Andrew Barth is a student of mechanical engineering in Central Illinois. For Project Egress, he was the CAD modeller and reverse engineer. His previous projects include a work-in-progress hobby turbine engine, a work-in-progress musical Tesla coil, and a million other small RC and 3D printing projects. Egress was his first project with Adam Savage, Jen Schachter, and the whole team of makers behind the parts, and he looks forward to many more collaborations in the future.

Artist statement: “Working on this project has allowed me to glimpse into the world of an engineer during the Apollo program. The coolest part of the process was looking at photos and scans of the hatch and discovering little details and nifty ways some of the parts were manufactured. I believe all parts of the original hatch were manually machined, which makes the manufacture of the most complex parts even more impressive and more special. I’m also glad the aspect of community between engineers, sewists, machinists, artists, and technicians of the Apollo program could be captured in this community project as well.”