How Do I Rover?

[Roytronix]

Hey Forum,

I've got an issue. I'm trying to land a small, lightweight rover on the Mun, Apollo style. The rover is just some structural pieces with some small rover wheels, an RTG, and a kerbal seat on it. What I can't figure out is how to get the darn thing to the Munar surface.

My current design has a 3-kerbal CSM and a 2-kerbal lander module. The idea is to slap the rover on the LM, but I can't figure out where to put the thing. I considered placing it between the LM and the CSM or below the LM, but then I worry about the structural stresses of launch. The alternative is to put it on the very top of the whole thing, but the rover has no docking port on it. In fact, it only has one attachment point (the flat part of an OKTO strut). I've tried just sticking it on the side of the LM, but that throws my Centre of Mass way off. Besides, when I detached it on Kerbin during a test, it fell on its side and I couldn't right it.

Is the problem in the design of my rover, or am I overlooking some stupidly simple solution? Any help is appreciated!

On a side note, I couldn't find a tutorial on designing/landing rovers. If there isn't one already, someone should write it. (If there is, please direct me to it.)

Thanks!

P.S. I'll put up some pics when I get home.

Edited May 30, 2013 by Roytronix

[Shrike42]

Have you tried putting the rover underneath the LM, using the long lander legs to provide the extra height needed to keep the rover from crunching? Of course, you'll be using radial engines (or radially-mounted engines on I-beams or girders) to perform your descent.

You could put the LM on your rocket upside-down, as well. That would make the top of the rocket the rover, lander, command, transfer stage, then lifter stage.

You'd test the LM separately by putting it on a launch clamp the right way up, extending the landing legs, then releasing the clamp.

Edited May 30, 2013 by Shrike42

[Scarecrow88]

I put mine underneath the LM, which sits on top of the launch vehicle but upside down, so the rover is actually at the very top. LM is attached to a command module which stays in orbit around the Mun and is used to get everyone back to Kerbin.

[aceassasin]

If you keep the rover small and make sure you have an asas on the lander to compensate and you should be fine.

This is what mine looks like.

[Roytronix]

Have you tried putting the rover underneath the LM, using the long lander legs to provide the extra height needed to keep the rover from crunching?

I put mine underneath the LM, which sits on top of the launch vehicle but upside down, so the rover is actually at the very top.

Excellent ideas, but my rover design doesn't allow me to put the rover underneath the LM.

If you keep the rover small and make sure you have an asas on the lander to compensate and you should be fine.

Yeah, I've tried that. It lifts off OK, but when I detach the rover, it lands upside-down and I can't right it.

[Roytronix]

Okay. Here's what the rover looks like attached to the LM in the VAB:

On the launch pad. Rover release, aaaand...

This happens.

As you can see, the rover is too small for a docking port, and even if it was, it would just land on its side or nose and be useless.

Should I consider a slight redesign to allow the rover to drop from the bottom of the LM?

[Shrike42]

It would mostly involve putting the legs on the LM lower. That'll slightly impact your LM's landing flight capabilities.

What I was suggesting to make it easier is to take the lander and command module section, and flip them over when attaching to the lifting stage, so that your rover's at the top of the rocket. That way you don't have to worry about fitting your rover inside a decoupler, and can easily build a rover (or two) that will then be upright on the bottom of the craft when you land. After all, once you're in orbit, you'll be swapping the leading end anyway at some point.

But, what you're really going for is just getting the rovers attached at a lower point on the lander.

Maybe you could use the long ladder system instead, and angle it so that it tilts away from the lander, then reposition your engines to be symmetrical, with one UNDER the ladder? Then you'd be able to put your rovers down by the ground, and they'd be less likely to land face-first.

[Tripod27]

attach the legs higher up and angle the front one slightly forward?

you can also poke a small beam or something out the front to prevent tipping (could just stick the power rod there to do the job)

[OtherDalfite]

I would get the raw mass of the rover, stick it on the side, and stick a counterweight on the other. So long as you aren't using the giant monster tank wheels, I don't think balancing it should be a problem. If it's just a tiny 1 kerbal rover, you may not even need a counterweight. Also, if you make the counterweight a fuel tank or RCS tank, you've got a useable, droppable storage for fuel.

Edit: For your lander as it is, I would swap out the two radial engines for the poddle. It's even more efficient with fuel than the two that you have.

Edited May 31, 2013 by OtherDalfite

[Specialist290]

You could also try mounting one of the smaller landing legs on the end to function as a self-righting mechanism.

[Roytronix]

For your lander as it is, I would swap out the two radial engines for the poddle. It's even more efficient with fuel than the two that you have.

I thought about that, but I don't want to use the Poodle because I finally got a rover design that can be carried underneath the LM! Also, these engines are more powerful and more fuel-efficient than the smaller radial-mounts.

So yeah, finally got a working design. Thanks for all the ideas, help, and suggestions! I'll post some pics soon.

[Roytronix]

PS This should be classified as answered. Does a mod have to do that, or can I?

[Shrike42]

Can you edit the original post and switch it?

[Calin]

This might be a bit too much, but what I did was place a rover under a rover, so you can rover while being in a rover. And if you get bored, you can detach your rover from the rover and rover anywhere you want. Then come back and dock the rover to the rover. Hope it helps...

All just for a stupid flag... AND ROVERS!!

[Roytronix]

Can you edit the original post and switch it?

Nope.

This might be a bit too much, but what I did was place a rover under a rover, so you can rover while being in a rover. And if you get bored, you can detach your rover from the rover and rover anywhere you want. Then come back and dock the rover to the rover. Hope it helps...

[KasperVld]

Your wish is my command

[Landge]

To make sure my rovers land on their wheels I do what any Kerbal would do and have it drop with a glancing blow to the head...

[Roytronix]

Your wish is my command

Yay thank you

To make sure my rovers land on their wheels I do what any Kerbal would do and have it drop with a glancing blow to the head...

A truly Kerbal solution.

[kahlzun]