Attempting to launch a Mobile Munar Laboratory

[CatastrophicFailure]

I originally was going to but since I decided to go with the habitat module and 3 person capsule I decided to try vertical as I figured it would be a bit more efficient launching up. But as you can tell I had some issues lol, so I'll be going back to my original horizontal design for my next rover using some of the ideas people have had on here (live and learn I guess).

and Shrike that is a really cool lander you have there, I like the use of the girders for the wheel base that is a nice idea. I may have to try to do something like that myself, thanks for the ideas.

You can have it both ways too altho it requires just a bit of extra finesse during landing. Below *should* be some shots of the first module of my Minmus base, one in launch configuration & another two after I ungracefully tried to disassemble the rocket to get a better shot of it. Didn't work so much. Anyways, you can launch and maneuver vertically, then drop the booster & switch to horizontal for the actual landing. It fell off after the rocket collapsed, but there's a MechJeb tin on the "top" of the base module. Once you drop the booster that become the command module and "up" is the right direction. Make sense?

[Shrike42]

Thanks for the compliment!

I should note that I was able to mount a reactor inside each girder segment, which added more weight for stability. You could also add a second battery pack down there. Keeping the CoM low will help you turn with less... drama if you're at speed.

[Kottabos]

I see one problem with you suggest, you said it requires finesse which is something I generally don't have lol. interesting idea though, I may have to give it a try at some point.

And as a general update, after the last vid I did successfully land that rover (off camera though as it took me a few tries). And just posted a new vid earlier of it finally moving around on the mun and eventually making it's way to my munar arch research lab. Plus, on a side note, I finally brought back jeb from the mun in a potentially suicidal mission ... though that does seem to be par for the course honestly lol.

[Shrike42]

Munbuggy 3 update:

Mun testing has shown the design very stable, able to stay firmly on the ground for quick turns, even at 22 m/s. However, a sharp turn at that velocity did cause a roll, but quick deployment of the self-righting legs had it 'cartwheel' its way until it came to rest on its wheels, with NOTHING broken.

I'm quite pleased with this design. I can get it up to 15 m/s and then just let it cruise, and hit the brakes every so often if it starts going too quickly from an incline. It takes small, controlled hops off of rises, doesn't go spinning off wildly, and stays in a pretty straight line, even with uneven surfaces to traverse.

[Tw1]

One more tip for driving- Activate steering lock on you rear wheels using an action group, or by clicking each individually. This gives you a fast driving mode, allowing safer steering at speeds greater than 20m/s. (72km/h)

This of course, depends on the design of your vehicle. My first one, shown earlier on the thread, had a very high centre of gravity.

This meant it could only be turned safely at speeds under 12m/s. Or very slightly at 15m/s.

The distance between your front wheels and back wheels also affects how much difference this will make.