It’s no secret that many Adafruit folks are Star Trek fans (see related blog posts).

The recent Adafruit Learning System guide Talking Computer from Star Trek showed props from an episode of Star Trek The Animated Series episode The Slaver Weapon from 1973. Written by noted Sci-Fi author David Niven, the episode crosses the Star Trek Universe with Nivens’ own Known Space stories.

Adafruit engineer Phil Burgess worked with 3D print maestros Noe & Pedro Ruiz to create two props from the episode – a communications computer and total conversion weapon.

Check out the Adafruit information on the props and how to make them with the Adafruit Feather M4 Express board.

Now the exciting part! Aaron Harvey is the co-author of the Simon & Schuster book Star Trek: The Official Guide to the Animated Series. Aaron contacted Adafruit about the props:

This is SO amazing! I can draw orthographic drawings of the weapon…but I’d never be able to bring it to life. It may be too time intensive/expensive…you have done the best TAS cosplay I have ever seen and I doff my cap to you!

Adafruit struck up a conversation with Aaron and offered to produce the models as a one-off (Adafruit isn’t in the production business for projects, they only wish to teach others to learn to make things).

(from Star Trek: The Official Guide to the Animated Series by Aaron Harvey and Rich Schepis)

Soon Adafruit hopes to get together with Aaron via video chat to discuss The Animated Series and shared passions for it. Stay Tuned!

Bonus – the cat-like species Kzinti recently appeared in the new Star Trek: Lower Decks animated series to coach Boimler on posture.