Dark Dragons Astronomy Featured in Autodesk Fusion Blog

We're thrilled to share that Dark Dragons Astronomy has been featured in a case study on the official Autodesk Fusion blog! The article, titled "Capturing the Night Sky: How Fusion Powers Dark Dragons Astronomy's Observatory Automation," highlights how we use Autodesk Fusion to design and manufacture our observatory automation systems.

From Frustration to Innovation

The feature tells the story of how DDA began. Like many astrophotographers, we spent countless nights hauling heavy equipment to remote locations, reassembling complex rigs, and hoping everything would work before dawn. There were no guarantees—you have to reassemble everything each time.

To solve this problem, we built our own roll-off roof observatory that could house a telescope permanently and run entirely by remote control. When other astronomers started asking how they could get similar systems, Dark Dragons Astronomy was born.

Designing in Fusion

Autodesk Fusion has been central to our design workflow from the start. We modeled our entire observatory in Fusion—every stud, every hinge, even the roof motion—before purchasing a single piece of lumber. The cloud-based collaboration features allow both of us to review, iterate, and visualize designs together in real time.

Beyond mechanical design, we also use Fusion to engineer PCB controllers and integrate electronics seamlessly with each assembly. When it's time to manufacture, we export STEP files and send them to fabrication partners for laser cutting, turning virtual models into physical parts in days instead of weeks.

Built for Reliability

The article highlights how Fusion's integration with McMaster-Carr helps us design systems that are simple, reliable, and repairable. Many of our customers operate in remote, harsh environments where service calls are costly or impossible. By pulling standardized parts directly into our models, we ensure components can be easily replaced by local operators with common tools.

Featured Projects

The case study showcases several of our notable installations, including our work with Howling Coyote Remote Observatories in New Mexico, where we engineered a custom drive system for their massive 7,000-pound motorized roofs. It also features our recent automation retrofit for Queensborough Community College in New York City, where we transformed a 1970s-era dome into a fully remote-controlled facility in just eight weeks.

Read the Full Article

We're honored that Autodesk chose to feature our work and share our story with their community. You can read the full article on the Autodesk Fusion blog: Capturing the Night Sky: How Fusion Powers Dark Dragons Astronomy's Observatory Automation

Thank you to everyone who has supported DDA on this journey. We're just getting started, and features like this remind us how far we've come from those early nights of hauling equipment into the field. Clear skies!

— Jeff & Rick, Dark Dragons Astronomy