Mars Rover Complete

Background:
It was suggested to me that I create a Mars Rover mission to scope out the planet before I go there in person. This was certainly an engineering challenge, partly dealing with operating remotely from a distance, but mainly constructing it in such a way that the whole thing folded up to fit in the Marama Rocket. The videos I’ve posted don’t do justice to just how long this project took me, I went down the rabbit hole on this one.

Cinematic video full disclosure - while the video was made from actual footage of the workshop item, it was shot in creative mode with all sorts of camera and editing trickery.

I need to stress, this project was a proof of concept, learning experience. I have published the blueprint so others can see how it works, paste it in creative mode, dissect it and get ideas for their own builds. Although the Rover is functional, it is completely impractical. It travels at a snails pace, is defeated by the mildest of slopes and steers like a drunk person on roller skates. The engineering of this build is right on the edge. It is what it is. Please don’t complain if it doesn’t work for you.

General Info/Requirements/Troubleshooting/other info:

Paste this in creative mode, I can’t see how this could be done in survival. Also best to paste in zero G, rattles around quite a bit on the surface. The Ion thrusters are switch on in the blueprint to overcome a small amount of drift caused by some minimal clang. This also means you should use autopilot for long distances to keep it on track. Laser antennas are directional and you will need to pilot or set up waypoints in such a way the laser antenna on the satellite section remain pointed at your base station.

There are three main sections and two deposable sections. The satellite section stays in orbit proving the relay link over great distances via the laser antenna. The deposable temporary section provides autopilot, stage separation programming and de-orbit thrusters. The ground relay section will land close to the rover and provide a link to the Satellite to enable minimal antenna power consumption for the rover. The rover has a deposable parachute that will self-detach on landing.

Power usage of laser antennas in SE is completely ludicrous. Hull's Economical Laser Antenna mod is a must: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1547518898
Even then, each of the 3 main parts of the Rover have reactors to supplement the solar. As uranium is scarce on Hephaestus Prime, I have timers sync’d to operate antennas/reactors for 2mins, then 8mins off. Any prolonged usage of the Rover system or you have ample supply of Ur, you’d want to disable these timers.


Timers and functions for splitting up the different sections are labelled #1 - #5 in the control panel. There is automation, so you should need to do anything beyond picking the best time to do something or taking control of a remote to fly a part away for clearance. Detach or lock the wrong thing out of order and bad things will happen, ie lock the magnetic pad on the rover parachute arm before detaching the rotor, say good bye as it spins off into deep space.

Rover ground controls are pre-set. Menu 1 has left wheels in slot 1 & 2, right wheels slot 8 & 9, using on/off and reverse, drive it like a tank. Menu 2 has the camera mast controls. Mast rotors and hinges keep travelling until you both turn off and lock the block

These are basic instructions, experiment, have a play and most of all, enjoy!!!