Sep 19, 2014 | By Alec
Perhaps the space flight simulator Kerbal Space Program doesn't need an introduction on a 3D printing news website. Often abbreviated as KSP, this wonderful game revolves around developing a space program on the fictional planet of Kerbin. The multi-facetted gameplay largely consists of constructing, testing and launching rockets and space shuttles, and forces the player to tackle the many difficulties that accompany space exploration.
Launched last year, this game has proven to be hugely successful, especially amongst engineers and other gamers with a scientific background. One of the main reasons for the game's spectacular success is the game's support for extensive modding. One particularly popular mod is Telemachus, that generates a lot of data concerning your travels in space.
Recently, a redditor and KSP fanatic going by the username KK4TEE, has developed a very cool flight computer to cope with all the data generated by Telemachus. His very cool creation was based on the Apollo Guidance Computer, the 1960s flight computer that was used by NASA to put people on the moon. Not only is this in awesome tribute, it actually works!
KK4TEE powered his computer using an Arduino board, and 3D printed a casing for it that mimics NASA's groundbreaking board computer. It is capable of displaying four types of numeric values used in space travel. These are, for our engineering readers: time to apoapsis, current altitude, apoapsis, and periapsis. The indicators on the side of this cool computer follow the status of your space shuttle's five main systems: master alarm, SAS flight controller, RCS thrusters, landing gears, and brakes.
To design the 3D casing, KK4TEE used openSCAD. The finished structure was printed in PLA material using a Printrbot Simple Metal. All in all, it took him about 14 hours to print the casing. Of course, it also required various other components, like LED lights and keys removed from a keyboard.
And the results speak for themselves. KK4TEE's board computer is an awe-inspiring piece of very cool machinery and the perfect tribute to NASA's space program. Furthermore, it really illustrates what 3D printing can achieve for people with original ideas. And there's some good news: KSP enthusiasts can build their very own Apollo Display and Keyboard System, as the designs have been made available on Github. You can find them here.
Check out KK4TEE's full imgur album on the production process of his ADKS here:
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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