KerbalX

Lunokhod 2 was the second and last lunar rover launched under the Soviet Lunokhod program. In addition to the instruments previously carried on Lunokhod 1, Lunokhod 2 was equipped with a radiometer, a visible-UV photometer, and a boom magnetometer. It also carried a number of improvements over its predecessor, most notably a third TV camera mounted at a higher position to provide better visibility for navigation. Lunokhod 2’s primary tasks included examining ambient light levels and measuring local magnetic fields, on top of tasks also performed by Lunokhod 1 such as imaging and lunar soil study.

Lunokhod 2 landed on the Moon on Jan. 15, 1973 in Le Monnier Crater and disembarked from its lander early on the 16th. The rover quickly set off, being driven much faster and further than its predecessor. On its journey it first traveled south and encountered the low highlands at the crater rim, climbing hills and demonstrating its roving capability. It then headed east on a long drive to explore a rille, a shallow depression called Fossa Recta. Along the way it used its magnetometer to look for changes in the magnetic field near surface boundaries and other features. Lunokhod carried out its mission on the Moon for 4 lunar days until May 10. On this date ground controllers witnessed internal temperatures rising to critical levels before communication was eventually lost. The rover’s cooling system had apparently been compromised, possibly because lunar soil had been deposited onto the radiator when the solar lid last closed. By the time of its death Lunokhod 2 had traveled a total distance of 39km, having transmitted over 80,000 TV images and 86 panoramas. It stands as one of the furthest traveled rovers, second only to Opportunity’s 45km record. Lunokhod 2 rests 15km east of its lander, near the southern rim of Le Monnier Crater.

Craft Description

Built for KSP v1.10.1
Requires the Breaking Ground DLC
A stock+DLC replica of the Lunokhod 2 rover, including its Luna 21 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: 963
• 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. The rover also uses a red CCCP stencil for decoration. I highly recommend downloading the files here and putting them 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.