Mars Rover

[Bryan K]

This design is based on the Dakar/Baja/overland racing trucks and Unimogs. My theory is that Mars colonization isn't going to have sexy looking ground vehicles. They are instead, going to be boxy, rugged, practical, cheap to build and maintain.

In other words, not much different than utility vehicles today.

Here's the start. Once again, basic shapes that will eventually morph.

The wheels are from the warehouse. After all, why re-invent the wheel?

[Bryan K]

Some angle cuts.

[Bryan K]

Now with fancy suspension. Again from the warehouse (truck suspension search) but modified by deleting what I didn't need.

I forgot to mention I also found the wheels by searching for truck tires and modifying what I found.

[Bryan K]

Some window detail modification.

[Bryan K]

Adding some fiddly bits.

[Mike Amos]

Looks good Bryan, where will the pressure chamber be?

[Bryan K]

Looks good Bryan, where will the pressure chamber be?

Thanks.

There will be three airlocks.

Now that I've got the look I want, I'm breaking it out and creating new module components and standardizing the mass blocks.

Here is the propulsion unit.

I've realized that by doing this, I can create three different vehicles.

[Bryan K]

Here's the new modules and how they fit together.

[Bryan K]

Front top view and rear top view.

[Bryan K]

More fiddly bits.

[Bryan K]

Updates. Getting close to done. Still more to add, but not much more.

[Bryan K]

Minor updates.

[Bryan K]

Adding warning signs.

[Bryan K]

Solar panels. More signage on airlock.

[Bryan K]

Almost finished.

[Bryan K]

Fiddly refinements at this point.

[Bryan K]

Comparison of VEX to the rover.

[Bryan K]

Done.

[ntxdave]

Bryan, these are really good (IMO). I wish I had the skill ans knowledge to do work like this.

[Bryan K]

Bryan, these are really good (IMO). I wish I had the skill ans knowledge to do work like this.

Thanks Dave. All simple shapes and a few things from the 3D Warehouse.

[Mike Amos]

I agree, cracking skills.

[Bryan K]

Thanks Mike.

[Donnewtype]

Just found this and I have to say well done. Simple shapes and you build up detail; very quickly. I like the shape and external hatch detail.

good job. Donnewtype.

[Bryan K]

Thanks!

[HornOxx]

... thanks to you Bryan! I love this "shoeboxy" cool truck and this story of making!