EDF Thrust Vectoring Autonomous LEM (Lunar Excursion Module) Build
05-27-2019, 04:37 PM
#1
EDF Thrust Vectoring Autonomous LEM (Lunar Excursion Module) Build
New Project. Decided to use my thrust Vectoring experience to build this awesome machine in honor of 50th anniversary of the moon landing.
Using foamboard and a laser cutter to build the body. I haven't completed the 2D plans yet as this is a complex structure to create with fomboard. Trying to stick to the original design as much as I can but need to do some tweaks due to the requirements of the EDF and the thrust vectoring system to work at peak performance.
Unit will be autonomous and will possibly be released from a rocket for an autonomous landing at the home coordinates (Will think about that later, as the unit needs to fly first).
Below are some pics of the design and a footage from the cutting of the first body part. Will try to post as frequently as I can.
Youtube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2Z..._as=subscriber
FB Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1244...?ref=bookmarks
Using foamboard and a laser cutter to build the body. I haven't completed the 2D plans yet as this is a complex structure to create with fomboard. Trying to stick to the original design as much as I can but need to do some tweaks due to the requirements of the EDF and the thrust vectoring system to work at peak performance.
Unit will be autonomous and will possibly be released from a rocket for an autonomous landing at the home coordinates (Will think about that later, as the unit needs to fly first).
Below are some pics of the design and a footage from the cutting of the first body part. Will try to post as frequently as I can.
Youtube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2Z..._as=subscriber
FB Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1244...?ref=bookmarks
06-28-2019, 08:05 PM
#5
I found the problem. I was happy that the nozzle was letting me take care of pitch and roll with only two servos... Not any more. it took me tens of tests and some super deep thinking to figure it out. The slight flexing of the nozzle in the Y axis when X servo was pulling and vice versa was causing the trouble. I added one more servo to pitch to counter the existing servo and the wobble almost diminished. Of course, you never until you do the field test and it will still need some fine tuning. Before going forward I need to get the landing gear in so I don't damage the servos outdoors. Attached the latest pic.
06-29-2019, 05:42 PM
#6
Outdoors maiden… The first very short flight (or long crash landing) is before the fine tuning. The unit was uncontrollable because of the T. bowl effect. I did some further tuning after this flight, re-charged and hit the park. The wind picked up before the second flight but still wanted to give it a shot. The second flight was a success. The unit was very controllable despite the wind. Will need some further tuning but so far so good. My only concern is how the electronics will hold in a longer flight. This is one of the heaviest 64mm units that I have built, and the nozzle is equipped with 2 variable and 4 fixed vanes, packing the airway with lots of hardware. So, I will do a flight time test and see if the ESC, motor and the batteries will handle a full flight which will probably take 5 minutes.
The rest of the additions will need to be extremely light. I am not the best artist in town but will do my best to give it a genuine look
Thanks
The rest of the additions will need to be extremely light. I am not the best artist in town but will do my best to give it a genuine look
Thanks
07-02-2019, 05:59 PM
#7
Longer hover test. After 2:30 minutes I touched the motor to see if it overheated and it literally gave me a 3rd degree burn as expected. It was about to give up. I will need to bump up the power setup with a new motor and ESC, possible new batteries. It will probably take about a week. Hoping to get it ready for the 50th anniversary. The tuning seems to be OK for now, didn’t have to touch that again.
07-13-2019, 06:39 PM
#9
New 12 blade fan and ESC installed. It completely threw the prior PID out of the window. Added weight & torque, combined with added body parts messed it up. After a couple of crash landings and one week of trying re-figure the PID and all the rest of the stuff, finally there.
This short flight shows a pretty good performance WITH THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL LANDING��
Now I will work on the GPS for auto-land and do the final touches on the looks.
Thanks
This short flight shows a pretty good performance WITH THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL LANDING��
Now I will work on the GPS for auto-land and do the final touches on the looks.
Thanks
07-20-2019, 09:54 PM
#10
Windy day at the trail. Unfortunately my brain doesn't have an abort button, and after working this hard I have to land this machine on the 50th anniversary. One crash landing due to the LEM antenna getting sucked into the fan. No damage and two successful landings after. Tried to angle the onboard camera like the famous landing footage of LEM. One video shows only onboard cam and the other one is an attempt to show both cams simultaneously. Flag and ladder were contracted to my 7-year-old daughter. They came they came in a little out of spec but she was the lowest bidder��
01-26-2020, 04:15 PM
#11
A higher speed flight of the lander that I wanted to do for months! I had chance to take it for a spin today.
It flies and maneuvers really well. I took it to some decent speeds for a structure which is not designed for atmospheric flight and it handled extremely well. No loss of control, very confident.
I will do some cosmetic fixes here and there but other than that all good
It flies and maneuvers really well. I took it to some decent speeds for a structure which is not designed for atmospheric flight and it handled extremely well. No loss of control, very confident.
I will do some cosmetic fixes here and there but other than that all good
