Rover Proving Ground at KSC

[OTehNoes]

Hey guys!

Apologies if this has already been suggested, I did search and couldn't find anything so with that said I'll get on with it!

I'd love to be see an area at the space centre where we could test our land based rovers on, maybe something like this:

Something with some adverse terrain and various cambers so we can test how well our rovers can tackle rough terrain, as so far the closest thing we have to do so is using the sides of the rocket launch pad, that or drive for quite some time to the mountains to try them there.

It would be nice to have something closer to home where we could quick and easily test our rovers out.

Let me know what you think, and again if this has already been suggested, my apologies!

[Taki117]

I like the idea, could be a small area to the west of the runway (relative to the runway) so that it's a bit of a drive, but not too bad.

[problemecium]

I consider the edge of the runway a testing ground. Lost count of how many rovers I've managed to flip over there.

[OTehNoes]

I consider the edge of the runway a testing ground. Lost count of how many rovers I've managed to flip over there.

I guess that's okay for testing camber on but it isn't particularly steep, not much of a challenge.

[CsendesMark]

Awesome idea!

I buyin' it!

[OTehNoes]

Hell, the stand for the large satellite arrays at the space station without the actual arrays on would make a decent obstacle! I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned before!

[colmo]

I believe Infinitedice built a Baja style racetrack (because racetracks are so much more Kerbal than testing grounds...) using the Kerbtown mod. It should still work!

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/50131-Kerbin-Baja-Racing-for-KerbTown-and-KSPv0-21-1

Edited February 24, 2014 by colmo

[NQMT]

I'd love to see a plugin that adds an area of land where you can plot and build something for rover testing, which is also shareable, like Minecraft world seeds.

Say I built a paved racetrack for a competition, and the code was 74747, anyone else with the plugin could use that track's code.

I mainly do racing rovers for Kerbin but a proving ground for planetary rovers would probably spike my interest in off-world vehicles.

[OTehNoes]

I'd rather a set area rather than having to build your own area, as building your own could be convoluted and would need a lot to be implemented, some set obstacles already at the Space Centre would be lovely though, provided it had plenty of variety!

[Justin Kerbice]

Nice idea .

It is also possible to drop a rover on top of some buildings (is it "the kerbal way" ?)

[OTehNoes]

Something actually designed for it would be nice though!

[coolitic]

Good idea!

[OTehNoes]

Thank you! I'd love to see this become a reality if more people get behind it! I can't really see any problems that would arise from having it!

[Kasuha]

Thank you! I'd love to see this become a reality if more people get behind it! I can't really see any problems that would arise from having it!

I like the idea too, although I think there is quite some rover proving terrain already available. I mean the launchpad and slopes around KSC buildings can be used for quite a lot of proving. It's not like you'll meet anything much worse in space.

Also please don't fall under false assumption that this forum is some kind of public vote for new features into the game. While more public interest in a feature sure gives it better chances, it's always up to developers to decide what they will add.

[Winter Man]

I'd actually like a rover building, where you can only build rovers to add to your rockets later. The 'launch' button would bung it into the test track, maybe at a 'KSC West' or something, out near the desert.

[Kasuha]

I'd actually like a rover building, where you can only build rovers to add to your rockets later. The 'launch' button would bung it into the test track, maybe at a 'KSC West' or something, out near the desert.

What advantages should that building have over SPH?

[General Pongo]

I find that the mountains by insular airport (the small island near the space center) work pretty well for testing out rovers. I have delivered a couple rovers over there and driven them up the mountain. Great for strength testing too because if you aren't careful, you will flip over.

[OTehNoes]

I like the idea too, although I think there is quite some rover proving terrain already available. I mean the launchpad and slopes around KSC buildings can be used for quite a lot of proving. It's not like you'll meet anything much worse in space.

Also please don't fall under false assumption that this forum is some kind of public vote for new features into the game. While more public interest in a feature sure gives it better chances, it's always up to developers to decide what they will add.

Oh of course! I mean it'd be nice if it was picked up, by developers or modders (though I suppose there's a forum for the latter), but I'm glad to see others agree. I do use the launch pad for testing my rovers but its far from ideal. Something actually designed for it would be lovely, and would make sense! Or alternatively allow us to chose where we launch them from so we can get to terrain we want to test, though I suspect that would take much more effort to implement.

[S4qFBxkFFg]

I support this idea, and also propose that it includes at least one full loop.

e.g. http://cdllife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Screen-shot-2012-07-02-at-11.05.01-AM.png

(because Kerbal)

[Winter Man]

What advantages should that building have over SPH?

To start, you wouldn't have to begin at the launch pad. What space agency worth its salt tests a rover on a launch pad (or for that matter, builds them on the VAB floor)? Might as well for the little trouble it's worth. Another is easier positioning of parts with a more appropriate snapping and zoom level, like how the SPH has the side-by-side symmetry.

[OTehNoes]

To start, you wouldn't have to begin at the launch pad. What space agency worth its salt tests a rover on a launch pad (or for that matter, builds them on the VAB floor)? Might as well for the little trouble it's worth. Another is easier positioning of parts with a more appropriate snapping and zoom level, like how the SPH has the side-by-side symmetry.

I guess that would be a nice addition, why don't you make a thread for it? Could pair quite nicely with this suggestion, build in the rover building, when they launch from it you're at the testing ground?

[Dispatcher]

The suggestion is good, since right now I must drive a long way to test a rover on varied terrain.

[Kasuha]

To start, you wouldn't have to begin at the launch pad. What space agency worth its salt tests a rover on a launch pad (or for that matter, builds them on the VAB floor)? Might as well for the little trouble it's worth. Another is easier positioning of parts with a more appropriate snapping and zoom level, like how the SPH has the side-by-side symmetry.

Well sure, VAB is not suitable for building rovers. That's why I wasn't even considering that and was asking about SPH instead.

As far as I understand it, you want another SPH which would place the rover on some kind of track. I don't see much improvement over just using SPH as is.

[OTehNoes]

Well sure, VAB is not suitable for building rovers. That's why I wasn't even considering that and was asking about SPH instead.

As far as I understand it, you want another SPH which would place the rover on some kind of track. I don't see much improvement over just using SPH as is.

Yeah I see no problem with building in the SPH, though if such a test area was put in, the option to spawn there would be nice. Though it wouldn't bother me driving to it either.

[Winter Man]

Well sure, VAB is not suitable for building rovers. That's why I wasn't even considering that and was asking about SPH instead.

As far as I understand it, you want another SPH which would place the rover on some kind of track. I don't see much improvement over just using SPH as is.

Other than rovers would be made available in the VAB once built for their inclusion as payloads. Copying and pasting around the directories isn't a permanent solution by any means.