Mars Lander Quadcopter
 

This is the 50th anniversary of more than Apollo-11. Also the Mars Lander's 50th anniversary.



Much thanks to Heli Hacker who has been quite helpful, and created modified versions of his 3D printed Mars Lander, plus the special mounts for the electric motors. Link to his 3D printed ML thread:
https://forums.rocketshoppe.com/showthread.php?t=17019.





Eventually, this model will take off ballistically on rocket power only, then at apogee the Flight Controller will automatically start up the electric motors to stabilize it into a hover.

Much more info about this project and links to videos at:
https://tinyurl.com/y2eaa9oc

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WOWWWW !

That is really cool.

I still don't have my promised flying car, but lipo batteries and brushless motors sure have taken the RC hobby a long way in the last decade. :cool:

Looking forward to your rocket powered flight!

Very cool, George!

Seconded!!!

Speaking of Mars helicopters, the Smithsonian Air& Space magazine had an interesting article on the helicopter drone that will be on the next Mars lander to be launched in 2020.

Had several good flights of the model as a Quadcopter.



Video of one of the flights:

https://youtu.be/WG6nF3y3iQk


Then Sunday, finally tried it on rocket power. First time I ever hooked up micro clips to fly a Mars Lander. :)





Video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bp...I0OALGpgMHflZEY


Lots of info on what happened this weekend, and why, here:
https://tinyurl.com/yyh7r6pu

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I figured Graupner would have matching counter rotating folding props, especially with the huge increase in electric flight. When Hobby Lobby was around it seemed like Graupner made everything under the sun.

I don't recall seeing many choices in left-hand rotation blades for Graupner (or Sonic Tronics) folding props back then (and I haven't looked lately).

George, sorry to see the carnage....

I don't suppose quadcopter speed controllers (or flight controllers) have any reason to have motor brakes in their software/hardware. If they did, that could be a way to keep the props from windmilling on boost.

Many (if not most) ESCs intended for fixed-wing airplanes have a brake mode. In some cases how fast it comes on and how much it brakes is also configurable.

Uhhhh....
That "landing" was less than graceful... :D
Still very cool though.

The second flight was a major BIFF.
As much as I like seeing crashes and powr-prangs, I hated to see that happen to such an innovative mod to the Mars Lander.
Good luck on the rebuild.
I think you need more "kick" off the pad. Try a 18mm D21/24.

George,

It's really hard to tell a guy who has done all the things you have that you've outdone yourself. But, YOU'VE TRULY OUTDONE YOURSELF!!!

Fantastic George, both in concept and execution.

Will we get to see this fly at NARAM?

Steve