Kerbal Space Program Controller

thingiverse

This controller draws inspiration from Hugo Peeters' work showcased on Instructables, specifically his Kerbal Controller, a custom control panel for rockets. Embracing a modular approach, I've divided the controller into distinct units that can be interchanged, each serving a logical function. My default setup comprises six modules arranged in a 3x2 configuration: one base unit housing the Arduino and LCD screen, as well as possibly switches to determine mode or readout; one module controlling engines and throttle levels; another with action buttons; a third handling RCS (Reaction Control System) and SAS (Stability Augmentation System) controls; and two additional modules featuring joysticks for rotational and translational control. My long-term vision is to achieve full modularity, where each module has its own Arduino or Microduino board and communicates with the base unit via MODBUS links. However, I'm mindful of avoiding unnecessary complexity by introducing too many new elements at once. When this initial design succeeds, I'll proceed with developing a version 2 that incorporates the MODBUS system. Minor updates were made to UpperBasePad, UpperRCSPad, and UpperActionPad on February 19, 2019. On April 2, 2018, I reconsidered using an Arduino Mega ADK due to its limitations in accommodating numerous components, including shift registers and analog inputs, on a single board or even a custom-sized PCB. As a result, I opted to fast-forward the development of fully modular design utilizing Microduinos and RS485 adapters. Consequently, I updated the Bill Of Materials accordingly.