NASA has launched the Artemis missions and plans to land on the moon again during the Artemis III Mission, hopefully in 2026.
They have challenged the industry to develop and build a new “Lunar Terrain Vehicle”, also known as the successor to the Moon Buggy, for 90 billion dollars!
Challenge accepted and I'm done. Where's my money?
It was designed with simplicity, ease of printing/post-processing and assembly fun in mind. It has been heavily inspired by various concept images I found.
I would also like to thank @MyStoopidStuff for his feedback on the various ideas and his help as a beta tester.
He has also designed some nice accessories that can be used with this buggy: Little alien: /model/1071428 Fuzzy cube: /model/1068769
Somehow official parts:
Self aligning orbital communication antenna
Long-range topographic radar scanner and remote control system
Short range LIDAR scanner
Joystick for drive by wire
Full suspension wheels
Light weight chassis
Cargo platform for heavy loads
Little basket for utilities
But since we all know it better than NASA, this model has even more to offer, even if you have to imagine a lot:
Bigger and wider wheels for a better WHHEEEEEE experience on daredevil rides and jumps on the moon.
The tires have a tread for better grip and are of course filled with specially developed “vacuum-proof air” to prevent them from bursting in the vacuum of space.
Larger touchscreen with accounts for Netflix and AppleTV for the long lonely rides in the dark and 8-track cassette player with iPod connector for a bit of nostalgia .
Many films have taught us that you can hear spaceships flying by or loud explosions in space. That's why it also has 7-channel Dolby Atmos speakers, because the effect is particularly impressive in the vacuum of space.
Luxurious and more comfortable seats with massaging function instead of the simple stools that NASA has planned. For 90 billion dollars, you can also expect a little luxury.
There is probably a sticker with “AI-Inside” somewhere, because nowadays everything has to have something to do with AI. Soon to read on your favorite toilet paper too. Want to bet?
The provided 3MF file can be used with:
Orca Slicer/Bambu Studio: Geometries , filament, AMS and settings
Prusa Slicer: At least the geometries
Others: May or may not work. Please do not expect any support for other software
In principle:
PLA/ TPU for the tires*
Nozzle: 0.4mm
Layer height: Default 0.16mm
Brim/Supports: Almost not needed
*Always use glue or hairspray or something similar for TPU!
TPU sticks like hell to smooth PEI sheet and without a separation layer there is a high risk of destroying your PEI sheet when removing the part!
BOM:
8x M2 20mm screws (suspension)
4x M3 20mm screws (wheels)
8x M2 6mm screws (Seats, center part, skid pad)
Some filament pieces
At least 6x rubber bands with ~2.5cm diameter (suspension)
Glue
Assembly:
Chassis:
1x Chassis
1x Window
3x mats
Lidar, radar, Antenna
This part is challenging and requires a little patience and skill
Put the window on the chassis to get a feeling for the right position
It will probably sit snugly, so be gentle to not to break the pins!*
Then do it again and use some glue to fix it
Insert and glue the mats
Use pieces of filament and glue the other parts to the window
* If you already have broken the pins, just sand them down and use glue to fix the parts
Display:
1x display
1x center part
1x Joystick
2x M2 6mm screw
Use two pieces of filament and glue to fix the display
Use 2x M2 6mm screws to fix the center part onto the chassis
Insert the joystick
Seat:
1x seat
1x upholstery
Insert the upholstery into the seat by first placing the upper part into the seat and then simply pressing the upholstery into place.
It snaps into the seat and sits firmly without adhesive
Mudguard:
1x Mudguard
1x break
In the first picture you can see what the result should look like
Use two pieces of filament and glue them onto the break
After drying, remove excess adhesive residue with a scalpel and cut the pins at ~2 mm height
Put on the corresponding mudguard and press it onto the filament pins. It will fit tightly. Widen the holes a little if it would not fit (elephant foot)
Drip a droplet of glue into the holes
To minimize grinding noises, sand the inner surface and you can also apply some silicone oil on the surface
Suspension (per wheel):
1x suspension1
1x suspension2
1x assembled mudguard
2x M2 20mm screw
Connect the suspension levers with 2x M2 20mm screws to the chassis.
The part with the hook is mounted at the top and the hook points outwards
Use two pieces of filament to connect the suspension to the assembled mudguard
When done, you should have the same result as shown on the picture (without the rubber bands)
Skid pad:
1x Skid pad
2x M2 6mm screw
6x Rubber bands
Decide for yourself how strong the suspension should be by using a different number of rubber bands. (3x per axle as default)
Of course, it also depends on the strength of the rubber bands used.
Make sure that you do not pinch the rubber bands and that they run in the recess provided for this purpose
Fasten the skid pad with 2x M2 6mm screws.
Front light:
2x front light
1x front light frame
Place a headlight on a stable surface (thin side up).
Now press the frame onto it until everything is flush.
The parts are intentionally very tight. Simply apply a little force.
Use two pieces of filament and glue them into the holes
You may need to widen the hole (elephant foot).
Cut the pieces at ~5mm length afterwards.
Push the light into the chassis.
Rear light:
1x rear light
1x rear light frame
Glue a piece of filament into the rear light.
Slide it into the frame. The same applies here: use a little force if necessary
Cut off the filament at ~5mm length.
Use a piece of double-sided adhesive tape and press the light into the chassis.
Wheel:
1x M3 20mm screw
1x inner rim
1x outer rim
Remove the built-in support of the tire.
Put on the rim parts.
Use the screw to connect all the parts to the mudguard
BE GENTLE!
Make sure that the wheel can move freely and do not overtighten the screw.
Note the pointed part of the tread pointing forwards.
Basket:
Use pieces of filament and push them through the holes carefully and cut off the ends
The outer holes are slightly narrower so that the filament cannot fall out.
Turning them slightly makes assembly easier
Put the basket onto the chassis
If the basket does not hold by itself, use glue.
Cargo platform:
Put it on the chassis and fix it with glue if needed