Rover tips?

[sting_auer]

I\'m using the Katerpillar wheels plugin, and I\'d like some tips on rovers.

I currently have a rover made of an RCS tank with 8 RCS thrusters attached above the command pod, then 1 small fuel tank and small engine underneath. On the sides of the fuel tank are 4 arms made of 3 radial decouplers, each with a single wheel attached to the sides. This is to improve stability.

Anybody got suggestions to reduce weight and still have a wide base? Would replacing 4 wheels with 3 still be stable?

[BlueSubstance]

I just build a really small rover. With only 2 wheels, and functional Camera.

[BlueSubstance]

I just build a really small rover. With only 2 wheels, and functional Camera.

But its really fragile. If you drive to fast, it will explode..

[Railsmith]

Consider radially mounting structural fuselages rotated horizontally to mount your wheels on. Might be similar in weight, but it could take just about any impact and keep on ticking.

And three wheels? If you have one in the back and two in the front, it should stay quite stable.

[KAO]

use six wheels actually

x3 symmetry wheels on the front, same on the back.

this is so no matter what side you are facing the rover is still functional

[Railsmith]

Oh yeah, I've done that with 4x symmetry on Kerbin. Once the rover started rolling at high speeds, as it usually does, it still stayed rock- steady.

[Aegrim]

Best rover i had, until it went a little too fast down a hill.

Edited August 17, 2012 by Aegrim

[katateochi]

I made a rover with 4 wheels, each on the end of three dammedrobotics hinges joined together mounted to a rotator. a) wheel/leg things are adjustable they are springy c) it all packs up pretty neatly.

The rover has 3 power options. Just with wheel power (5m/s), using RCS thrusters (15m/s) and one rear rocket which gets it up 45m/s (and then death).

At lower speeds (<15m/s) its 100% stable, does not handle well when going fast!

Check out this vid. First half shows the landing process (Mars Curiosity style) and the rest focuses on the rover.

(tried to add ref to time in the vid, not sure if it worked. you want about 4:17 so see the rovers wheel/legs unpack. )

(sorry pic is kinda dark)

Edited August 17, 2012 by katateochi
being a pedant!