[WIP] Land-Based Habitat Modules

[cxg2827]

Its Modular Kolonization System by RoverDude. I wouldn't do the same artistic style if I were you, despite the fact that I like the work RoverDude has done. I also like the artistic style I've seen so far in your posts.

I'm a fan of Roverdudes work with that mod. But yea, I 'm not going to copy his style since I'm wanting the habitat to have a similar feel to the one thats shown in the "Mars Underground" video.

That's kinda what I meant with modularity. Not only does it mean one can mix/match within the mod, but the parts could also be used outside, like the ultra-flat engines which can always be used for different landers.

Ideas I would particularly appreciate:

- Change the top of the main module to be 2.5m size, that way one can put a 2.5m-docking port on there, which would make the whole lander wobble a lot less on an interplanetary lander.

- The same goes for the landing engines, that way the whole lander can be "in line" on a ship and doesn't HAVE to be on top. Still could be, but doesn't has to be.

- Your fold-able heatshield gave me an idea in conjunction to this: If folded correctly, it could cover a stock 2m docking port, so that - again - the whole thing could be somewhere in-line in a larger craft

increasing the top surface to accommodate a 2.5M docking port would definitely help with wobble, but it would also mean I have to remove all the top meshes except for the railings going around the top. I'll consider it, but for now leaving as-is.

_______________________

I got the heatshield animation working for all the petals, but It looks like the re-entry flames still make their way through each one. I modeled them to have some overlap hoping that it would prevent the seep through of the re-entry effect, but I guess it didnt matter.

Maybe I need to make a new animated collider mesh along with it to keep the re-entry effects from seeping through the cracks.

[Voidryder]

Good work. Agree with your decision to go with the Mars Underground look. And to vote with making the engines/fuel tank modular idea. I'm thinking you retrofire, active the heatshield, make it through the "heat", jettison the shield, pop a drogue chute or two, at x meters above LZ fire the landing rockets, then jettison the landing engine/fuel tank when dry (dead weight now anyway) and open main chutes, deploy the landing gear, float to a feather-like landing. Profit.

Anyway, looking forward to downloading.

[cxg2827]

New test release with updated textures and working IVA.

IVA is very basic right now and would like to get opinions about the general feel.

Download here

[cy-one]

Downloaded, will give feedback in 15-25 minutes.

Edit: Great to hear from you again, got kinda concerned about the radio silence

Edit: Here you go.

I like the geometry so far, although I'm a bit confused about the placement of the handles, especially that they go up a while, than horizontal, then up again. What was your decision-making there? I especially like the geometry of the door/hatch, it looks great imho.

I still believe it would be better if the top would be changed to accomodate a 2m-docking port. I will surely use it with one, no matter what

I figure (or hope) the outer texture is temporary, as it looks very flat. So until you say it is final, I won't comment on it further.

The "feeling" inside (sizes, layout, etc) seems fine so far.

Another thing that confused me was the position of the center of mass. Do you have a specific reason to have it positioned in the lower third of the module?

As for the heatshield, iirc, there is a attachment-rules-option to allow stuff to be placed even when it clips... Because I had to enable part clipping to put it under the module (1.25m docking ports attached to the side nodes).

In addition, as far as aerodynamics or CoM are concerned, the module doesn't fall "heatshield first" into the atmosphere. And it seems to take quite some force from the integrated SAS to actually point it into the right direction.

Edited June 4, 2014 by cy-one

[johnwayne1930]

First of all, I really like this Hub and looking forward to the finished version.

A few mentions about the current release:

- the shield survived a drop from 10km, thats maybe to much crash tolerance.

- as cy-one wrote, the placement of the shield is not possible when legs or ports are attached.

- the SAS is not toggle-able, also it seems it uses no electricity.

With DRE installed it falls right with "heatshield first" into re-entry. I think the ablative shielding of DRE and therefore the additional weight makes the difference.

@cxg2827

Also I want to thank you for draw my attention to the "Mars Underground" video, highly recommended.

*edit

The reaction wheel module is missing, i think.

MODULE

{

name = ModuleReactionWheel

PitchTorque = 10

YawTorque = 10

RollTorque = 10

RESOURCE

{

name = ElectricCharge

rate = 1

}

}

Edited June 4, 2014 by johnwayne1930

[CyclonicTuna]

The interior reminds me of the Tin Tin moonrocket;

http://www.comicsreporter.com/images/uploads/rocketmodel_thumb.jpg

[magnemoe]

I was flip-flopping over this idea. The original intent for this hab was to be similar to the "Mars Duna Direct" design, where it would have parachute-assisted landing, and then cut the shoots prior to landing, and use the propulsion to bring it down the rest of the way, and do any minor landing orientation/position correction. As I have it configured right now, it has about 150m/s Delta-V, as much as the FL-T100 fuel tank.

If I make it more modular, then it can be used more like the "Mars Duna Semi-Direct" design, where the hab section was used both for the land base, as well as for the transfer vehicle. But, then I'm not sure if i should make the landing package similar to how I have it now, or more like that superstructure with the spherical tanks at the top? I want to make sure that its not too bulky, so that it can be launched via a 3M rocket and fit inside fairings.

Transfer Vehicle on the right

http://www.planete-mars.com/dossiers/lune/images/0422zubrin_mars_e.jpg

Land Hab

http://www.planete-mars.com/dossiers/lune/images/0422zubrin_mars_d.jpg

I'm still going to make the "lying" landing legs. And those will be first, before the "standing" one.

post when you remember!

Here is a quick shot of the expanding Heatshield. playing around a bit with its size before i get to animating the leafs.

http://i.imgur.com/cQywEhp.png

I would prefer a modular design myself, allows for more mixed use, land everywhere from Gilly to Tylo even use in an space station or ship, perhaps putting rover wheels on.

[cxg2827]

I like the geometry so far, although I'm a bit confused about the placement of the handles, especially that they go up a while, than horizontal, then up again. What was your decision-making there?

I was just mimicking the design from the Mars Underground videos. Might be better off just having it go straight up.

I especially like the geometry of the door/hatch, it looks great imho.

You have SystemGlitch to thank for that.

I still believe it would be better if the top would be changed to accomodate a 2m-docking port. I will surely use it with one, no matter what

I'm still considering it, but until I hear from others and see how it is commonly used/launched/assembled by others it will remain.

I figure (or hope) the outer texture is temporary, as it looks very flat. So until you say it is final, I won't comment on it further.

Still learning how to texture and techniques. Still a ways away from anything set in stone. No normals have been made yet either.

Another thing that confused me was the position of the center of mass. Do you have a specific reason to have it positioned in the lower third of the module?

I forgot to shift it up a bit after removing the engine section. Will be a bit below the middle.

In addition, as far as aerodynamics or CoM are concerned, the module doesn't fall "heatshield first" into the atmosphere. And it seems to take quite some force from the integrated SAS to actually point it into the right direction.

All my testing was with DRE, and it was self-aligning when re-entering. I'll have to play around without DRE to make it work on stock. But, I am ditching this design for something else that would be a bit simpler and be able to be more broadly used.

A few mentions about the current release:

- the shield survived a drop from 10km, thats maybe to much crash tolerance.

- the SAS is not toggle-able, also it seems it uses no electricity.

The shield has a crash tolerance of 9, so Im not sure why it survived.

I dont want a reaction wheel in the hab, since those are really only used for satellites. not too mention I think the stock torque values for the pods are way overpowered. I added the asas module for it, and added a small amount of monoprop. So when RCS thrusters are installed, it works when toggled.

[cxg2827]

progress picture of the 2M legs

[UTK Aerospace Ind.]

Yeah we really should collaborate in this project! I recently have upgraded my PC and bought Photoshop so I can work all the time. If you would like any help on your current project to speed things along I will gladly assist you.

[davidy12]

You still working on this?

[cxg2827]

With my texturing and modeling progress I've been making, I'm tempted to reboot my work on this project.

But with Benjee10's D.I.R.E.C.T. mod he is working on, he has plans for Mars Direct-styled hab modules so I feel like it might be duplicated work.

I also started/stopped on a Mars DRA 5.0 pack so I feel like that one would be better to continue. The whole aeroshell aerodynamics and COM balancing act makes it a bit more tedious, though I feel like i can make it work.

[davidy12]

Mars DRA? What's that?

Also, I think you should continue with this, you're a lot farther along on this.

[cxg2827]

Mars DRA? What's that?

Mars Design Reference Architecture 5.0

Mod Thread

[Red Iron Crown]

Locked at OP's request.