E-USC 3, 4, & 6 - Rover Showcase

[Mega Dunsparce]

Presenting the E-USC 3 Transport Utility Vehicle, the E-USC 4 "Sciencemobile", and the E-USC 6 "Sciencemobile Jr."

I thought, that for my first forum submission, I would show off my three main E-USC (Experimental Untitled Spacecraft) ground vehicles. The Mk3, a refuel/tow truck, the Mk4, a mobile science lab, and the Mk6, a science/mining rig. Any feedback is welcome! All downloads can be found on my KerbalX page, http://kerbalx.com/Mega_Dunsparce/craft.

First off, here's a pic of each vehicle:

E-USC 3:

E-USC 4:

E-USC 6:

So, let's start with a rundown of the E-USC 3. This is the machine that I use to both refuel and tow vehicles. Although small, it has the ability to pull very heavy loads, along with 5 kerbals, very long distances, and has been invaluable to me on many different occasions. There's a variety of docking ports on the back, which allow for a multitude of different attachments, with a grabber claw being standard issue on every Transport Truck. I prefer grabbers over docking, as they allow for pivoting, which is vital for maneuverability.

Let's demonstrate its towing ability by starting small with a 30-ton dropship, because what better way to test the E-USC 3 than with an E-USC 2?

The E-USC 2 is no match for the E-USC 3, and the Truck pulls it 1km downrange with ease. Victory!

E-USC 3 STRENGTH TEST:

http://i.imgur.com/ghFlSMX.webm

The Transport Truck, being made entirely of wing surfaces and structural supports, is virtually indestructible. I threw it off the VAB during early testing and was still be able to drive it away. In this test, a fully loaded 40t E-USC 6 travelling at 25m/s leaves it very much unscathed. The E-USC 3 also has a trailer attatchement! like the Truck itself, the trailer is also pretty much indestructible. It's a separate vehicle and can, to an extent, steer itself. To attach it to the Truck, just raise the trailer legs and position the truck underneath. Just be sure to disable the steering of the back wheels of the Truck, as the new center of the vehicle messes up it's all-wheel steering.

Towing example #2: 40t of refueling trailer!

Moving on, here's the E-USC 4 "Sciencemobile"! This was the E-USC line's first ground-only (discluding the abort system) vehicle. The E-USC 4 is designed to be an ultra-versatile/modular mobile science base, with room for up to 7 Kerbals. Complete with a science lab and just about every piece of equipment available, The E-USC 4 can handle the terrain of just about any planet. Much of the E-USC 4's systems, such as batteries, landing wheels, and fuel cells, are hidden under the wheel shielding. Its 8 wheels grant it an unboosted top speed of 25m/s, and no rolling, as long as you don't force it.

In the event of battery depletion, the E-USC 4 grows wings, but it can easily travel 8km before needing to recharge for about 30 seconds. Also, on the rear axel is room for two 'pods' - for this showcase, I'm using 2 Science Jr.'s, with small engines for extra speed. They can quickly be replaced with rovers, planes, and equipment, amongst other crap. These Science Jr.'s detach with decouplers.

E-USC 4 "Sciencemobile" ABORT/RETROFIRE TEST

http://i.imgur.com/7LgVSUT.webm

This is an demonstration of the E-USC 4 Abort System, Similar to E-USC 2's. Its actual purpose is to act much like a Soyuz capsule's retrothrusters - when landing on a planet such as Duna, this system is designed to slow the craft down just before touchdown. It can also be used as an Mission Abort System if you run off, say, a low cliff. The landing wheels are used to, well, land on. It should probably also be mentioned that the back docking port of the Sciencemobile allows for many bigger external objects to be added, like this mining rig.

Last but lot least, let's move on to the E-USC 4's bigger brother, the E-USC 6 "Sciencemobile Jr." The Jr. is the spiritual successor of the original E-USC 4, and improves on its design in almost every way. Based off the E-USC 4, it too has room for up to 7 Kerbals, a science lab, and a plethora of scientific equipment. But the E-USC 6 has 16 wheels and a higher chassis, a giant ore depository, and 2 drills. The Sciencemobile Jr. is equipped for every environment in the solar system and then some; So, With Harbur at the wheel and Val in the crows nest, the Sciencemobile Jr. sets off on a 16km maiden voyage. With so many wheels to share the load, the Sciencemobile Jr. glides over terrain like it's not even there - it also makes a broken wheel much less perilous. The ground clearance is about 3 meters, too.

In the entire evolution and development of this vehicle, I only crashed ONCE, and that was a staging mishap. The reason it's so stable is my new steering arrangement: At launch, 4 of the inner back wheels steering is disabled. This makes the Jr. slower to turn, but impossible to tip at any speed. Pressing 1 enables all-wheel steering, which is perfect for tricky maneuvers below 19m/s. The Jr. also has, IIRC, double the battery capacity - one battery located under every 2 wheels grants 3605 units of electricity available. Always remember to disable one for when you run out, so you can open the solar arrays!

It also carries 655 units of liquid fuel, 600 units of oxidizer, and a lifetime supply of snacks. Gone are the days of hauling a trailer with you - take them everywhere! It should also be noted that under each wheel nacelle is a small engine, which allows the entire Sciencemobile Jr. 1m30s (500m/s DV) of flight time on smaller planets. Above the drills is a parcel shelf, designed for smaller vehicles to be towed.

Like this tiny Munar lander!

E-USC 6 "Sciencemobile Jr." ABORT TEST

http://i.imgur.com/JNW33ee.webm

Because E-USC 4's center of mass never changed, it meant the entire vehicle could be lifted up, and land heavily on 4 aircraft wheels. The abort thrusters could also be used as retrothrusters and slow down a fall, too, which was nice. But lifting the entire E-USC 6 was not an option, as it was far too big, and because of its ore barrel and cargo shelf, the C.O.M shifted drastically every trip. So, Just abort the Cuploa instead! The abort module is it's own little ship, and has 2m51s of thrust-limited burn time thanks to its two engines, so you can get even further away on a smaller planetary body.

THANKS FOR LOOKING!

I hope you enjoyed the showcase as much as I enjoyed making the craft. As previously mentioned, all downloads for the vehicles are at the top, on my KerbalX page. Criticism welcome!

[Majorjim!]

So much awesomeness! I really feel inspired by these craft. Cheers!

[Mega Dunsparce]

Glad you like them! I think my favorite aspects are the abort sequences. They took ages to fine-tune, though.

[Majorjim!]

I think my favorite aspects are the abort sequences. They took ages to fine-tune, though.

Yeah I bet! Keep it up man. I will keep an eye on your future stuff.

[MacGamer04]

So I was thinking about doing a video series on YouTube, and I was wondering if I could use these vehicles? Maybe I didn't have to ask, but I always like to, and, after all, I am Canadian. BTW, great job on all of these!

[Mega Dunsparce]

Apologies if you have to add any action groups to the transport truck, but it should work fine

Edited August 2, 2015 by Mega Dunsparce

[Mega Dunsparce]

So I was thinking about doing a video series on YouTube, and I was wondering if I could use these vehicles? Maybe I didn't have to ask, but I always like to, and, after all, I am Canadian. BTW, great job on all of these!

I'd love it if you used them! Just make sure that you send the video to me when it's done, and mention in the desc. that they're my vehicles. Thanks!