KerbalX

Lunokhod 1 was a large robotic rover built by the Soviets to land on and explore the lunar surface. Following a failed Lunokhod launch in 1969, Lunokhod 1 was launched successfully and landed on the Moon on Nov. 17, 1970. The rover soon disembarked from its lander, becoming the first rover to move across the surface of another planetary body. Over the course of its mission Lunokhod traveled a total distance of over 10km, all the while sending back thousands of TV images and panoramas of the lunar surface. Measurements were also made using its scientific instruments, studying the properties of the lunar soil. Lunokhod continued to operate for 11 lunar days before ground controllers lost contact with it on September 14, 1971, and it was officially declared dead by October 4. Lunokhod 1 rests 2.4km north of its landing site in the Mare Imbrium, otherwise known as the Sea of Rains.

Craft Description

Built for KSP v1.10.1
Requires the Breaking Ground DLC
A stock+DLC replica of the Lunokhod 1 rover, including its Luna 17 lander and Proton K/D launch vehicle.

The rover features a steerable antenna, hinged solar lid, and servo-powered wheels. Capable of a max speed of ~2kmh which is slow but quite authentic. Controllable via action groups for driving and steering.

Details

• Type: VAB
• Class: rover
• Part Count: 913
• Pure Stock
• KSP: 1.10.1

New:

The rocket now features a KAL-1000 auto-stager which automatically controls the staging for stages 1-3. You will still have to steer the rocket manually, though. To use it: Load the rocket onto the launchpad, throttle up to max, and press 0.

Custom Flags

Some parts of the rocket and rover rely on flags using a custom blank texture. I highly recommend downloading the file here and putting it in your flags folder.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12fuKm1uOrn83KSOMZgS5zuQ1bbwKDbPp?usp=sharing

Controls

1: Skid steer left
2: Drive forward
3: Skid steer right
4: Toggle lander RCS control
5: Toggle lander vernier control
6: Deploy lander ramps
7: Wake rover / open solar lid
8: Enter hibernation / close solar lid
0: Activate autostage controller
WASD: Directional antenna steering
H/N: Driving speed up/down

Instructions

Flight

Start your gravity turn by pitching forward starting at 35m/s. Aim for a high trajectory, the rocket should hit 45 degrees at 15000m-20000m.
Use stages 1-3 to put stage 4 in orbit, then use stage 4 to boost the lander to the Mun. Aim for a Pe of 50km over the Mun.
After separating the lander from stage 4, press 4 to toggle its RCS control. Press G to extend landing gear.
Use the lander’s main engine to enter a 50km x 50km orbit around the Mun.
When using the lander’s main engine press 5 to toggle vernier control. Toggle it off afterwards to avoid affecting your orbit.

Landing

Perform another retrograde burn to bring your Pe down to 10km over your desired landing site, then stage to discard the auxiliary fuel tanks.
At T-40s to Pe, start burning retrograde again to begin the landing. Point the navball between the horizon and retrograde vector to cancel out horizontal velocity.
Once velocity has reached 50m/s stop the burn. Allow the lander to fall to 2000m-1000m before burning again. Stage to enable extra verniers to assist in the landing.

Lunokhod Deployment

Once landed, press 6 to deploy the lander ramps. Stage to separate Lunokhod from the lander.
Switch to Lunokhod and press 2 to start driving down one of the ramps. Control its speed with H/N.
Once clear of the lander, press 7 to bring the rover out of hibernation and to open the solar lid.
Press 8 to put the rover into hibernation and close the lid.

In-Depth Flight Instructions

Below are instructions for flying the Proton, putting the payload into a circular 70km-80km orbit without needing to coast to apoapsis.
Stage timings are used to create a more authentic flight sequence.
If you’re using the auto-stager feel free to ignore the stage timings.

T+0s (0:00) Stage and throttle up to ignite first stage engines. Stage again to release the launch clamps.

Pitch forward at 35m/s to start your gravity turn. Aim for a high trajectory, the rocket should hit 45 degrees at 15000m-20000m.

T+88s (1:28) Stage 2 ignition

Stage 1 will separate automatically

T+93s (1:33) Interstage jettison

Once your apoapsis hits 90km, start pitching down towards radial-in to bring the apoapsis down gradually to 80km.

T+177s (2:57) Stage 3 vernier ignition

T+180s (3:00) Stage 2 separation

T+183s (3:03) Stage 3 main engine ignition

T+190s (3:10) Fairing jettison

Switch to map view and watch your apoapsis. Adjust your pitch so that the Ap marker slowly moves closer to your position.

As the apoapsis draws closer, pitch up towards prograde gradually to slow its movement.

Adjust your pitch to keep the Ap marker a few seconds ahead. Pitch up towards radial-out if the Ap falls behind you.

Throttle down once your orbit is cirularized.

Stage to decouple from stage 3 and press R to enable RCS control.