Project: Munbridge

[um3k]

Don't worry, I'm not suggesting you build a bridge to Mun, just on it. Specifically, build a bridge over any one of the many valleys on the Mun. This seems like a pretty challenging task in and of itself, so any and all mods are permitted. One or many launches, whatever it takes. The only actual requirement is that the bridge be traversable by a lone Kerbal.

I'm working on a craft to attempt this challenge myself, and I look forward to seeing everyone else's successes (and failures!).

As you can see, the most prominent valleys are on the rims of large craters. However, there appear to be smaller ones scattered about, so you are welcome to bridge whichever valley you choose.

The definition of a bridge for the purposes of this project is as follows:

- Reaches from one side of valley to the other.

- The walking surface only contacts the ground on either side of the valley. Note that this does not preclude support structures, so long as they are not the walking surface itself.

- Can hold the weight of at least one Kerbal long enough for said Kerbal to cross the bridge, with minimal jumping and no RCS use.

If you want to kick it up a notch, here are some things I consider worthy of bonus points:

- Length. The wider the valley, the bonusier the points.

- Strength. A saggy bridge won't lose you points, but a nice, sturdy one may earn you some.

- Stability. If you can time warp/switch to different ships and the bridge remains intact indefinitely, points will be awarded.

- Capacity. The base requirement is one Kerbal, additional capacity (such as Kerbal armies or rovers) are worthy of reward.

Edited September 13, 2012 by um3k

[The Destroyer]

HMMMM!

This might be an idea.....

Im thinking.

[Martonaut]

Ill try this one sounds fun

[The Destroyer]

Due to my schedual, ill try this for sat/sun. maybe earlier, idk.

[MaverickSawyer]

Aim for that one just right of center, and above the crater. THAT will be a challenge...

Wait, does it need to have a rover drive over it/Kerbal walk over it to count?

EDIT: Derp. didn't read opening post fully. So, revised query: Do we earn bonus points if it can handle a rover?

[um3k]

Sure. I'll add some bonus conditions to the first post. I was thinking about it anyways, but wanted to see what sort of response I received.

[um3k]

Uploaded a video of my early attempts at a deployable bridge:

Haven't tested it on the Mun, yet. For some reason I feel like it's not yet worth trying to get it there...

[Optical9090]

Uploaded a video of my early attempts at a deployable bridge:

Haven't tested it on the Mun, yet. For some reason I feel like it's not yet worth trying to get it there...

Epic! the music i mean.

The bridge is also very cool, and very Kerbal too, with the random explodies and whatnot.

[Martonaut]

HAHA I love your bridge , my computer did not like the idea so I faild

[The Stinger]

Nice challenge!

With valley, do you mean impact craters or something else?

Or can we build a bridge over any surface, on the Mun, with a height which is lower than 2 point at it's edge?

[um3k]

I mainly mean the big ol' linear cracks in the ground, but I suppose craters would be acceptable. Honestly, any sort of bridge over anything on the Mun would be a great start.

[The Stinger]

Alright, I'll scout around see if I can find a good spot.

Edited September 13, 2012 by The Stinger

[nhnifong]

This looks dumbfoundingly hard. I'll make some kind of attempt later this evening, but let me first offer my plan.

To find a nice place to build, land somewhere mildly hilly, and drive downhill until [REDACTED]

build bridge sections that consist of a short lander, with [REDACTED] pole on top, with two of those long [REDACTED] mounted sideways in bilateral symmetry on the tip of the pole. Land one of these in [REDACTED]. Land successive copies of it end-to-end and rotate and tilt the bridge sections to match up, repeat until the endpoints have thier pole on the lowest setting.

build two ramp ships, which have slanted tilt-able bridge sections. that can be used to connect the hanging endpoints to the ground.

Edited September 13, 2012 by nhnifong

[Taquarinha]

I think that use damned robotics for build Supports and build bridge with modular system, is the best idea, or not.

[EndlessWaves]

I had a quick muck around with building a bridge from wing sections and it's surprisingly robust so I think you could probably drive it into position assuming the sides of the valley aren't too steep (or you add sufficient RCS to levitate).

during heavy braking:

No damage sustained and it popped back upright after it had stopped.

Getting it off kerbin may be tricky but with sufficient SAS/Canards anything is possible (except a good frame rate).

[stoex]

um3k, I lol'ed so hard at your video I snorted beer on my monitor and keyboard. Best laugh I've had in days, thank you very much!

[nhnifong]

Getting it off kerbin may be tricky but with sufficient SAS/Canards anything is possible (except a good frame rate).

No way, they can introduce massive oscillations that will tear your ship to pieces.

[stoex]

As a thought, you might want to add a minimum required length for the bridge to the rules, just to make sure. Nothing outrageous (like you yourself seem to have plans for...), just to keep smart***es like me from making a rover with some flappy bits attached and walking a Kerbal over it.

[EndlessWaves]

No way, they can introduce massive oscillations that will tear your ship to pieces.

Yeah, they can sometimes induce unfortunate resonances but I find it to be pretty rare that there isn't some combination that'll work.

[nhnifong]

The beginnings of a great Kerbridge!

I'm building it across a long shallow valley

[Martonaut]

can you walk on that?

[colmo]

I loved um3k's video - fantastically Kerbal calamity. I'd like those square panel parts - I'd love a simple set of parts like those for building structures - the wing panels aren't quite flat so look ugly and generate lift, which might be a bad thing (short of a cfg edit).

I can see a rescaleFactor of a deployable solar panel (lots to choose from) as the easiest way - at least for a pedestrian bridge. I take it having something a Liltrak could cross would be an auto-win?

[um3k]

The beginnings of a great Kerbridge!

I'm building it across a long shallow valley

Lookin' good, nhnifong!

I loved um3k's video - fantastically Kerbal calamity. I'd like those square panel parts - I'd love a simple set of parts like those for building structures - the wing panels aren't quite flat so look ugly and generate lift, which might be a bad thing (short of a cfg edit).

I can see a rescaleFactor of a deployable solar panel (lots to choose from) as the easiest way - at least for a pedestrian bridge. I take it having something a Liltrak could cross would be an auto-win?

Here's a download for those panels, they're a custom mod I made: [ATTACH]32913[/ATTACH]

[Vostok]

What about the 'docking mod'? You could use that to build bridge supports and theoretically dock bridge sections onto each support, and join each section up with something like extendible solar panels. or massive explodey concertinas. Whatever really I guess.

[um3k]

ANY mod is permitted, even custom ones. Just list them, link them, and if they aren't already online, upload them.