You really want a joystick and throttle at the absolute minimum for accurate maneuvers, but even you’ll be spending plenty of time back on the keyboard to operate the craft’s various systems. Right now you need to focus on getting those rockets built and establishing a network of communication satellites so you can get out of low orbit.įor those of you who’ve played the game (or are joining us again after playing KSP for the prescribed 10, 12, 16 hours), you’ll know that the humble computer keyboard is not very well suited to jaunts through space. Don’t worry, Hackaday will still be here when you get back. If you haven’t, then you should set aside about ten hours today to go check that out real quick. If you have even the most passing interest in space and what it takes to get there, you’ve probably already played Kerbal Space Program (KSP). On the other hand, we’ve seen slightly less intense builds if you’re not quite ready to take out a loan just to get into orbit. This Kerbal Space Program cockpit has banks of switches below and above the player, so one can more realistically scramble for the correct onet to flip when things start going sideways. If this build doesn’t have enough switches and buttons for you, don’t worry. On the software side this box appears as a normal USB game controller, albeit one with a crazy number of buttons. The electronics are all housed on professionally manufactured PCBs, which gives the final build an incredibly neat look despite packing in 68 separate inputs for your gaming pleasure. Internally, used a SparkFun Pro Micro paired with a SX1509 I/O expander. Not only does this allow you to change out the overlays for different games, but the paper labels look fantastic when lit with the LED strips placed behind the channels. Many of the labels are printed on strips of paper which slide into translucent plastic channels built into the front of the box. One of the things we like best about this build is that thought ahead and didn’t just design it for one game. A CNC machine was used to accurately cut out all the necessary openings, and the labels were laser etched into the powder coat.īut not all the labels. The console itself was purchased from a company called Hammond Manufacturing, but of course it still took some work to turn it into the object you’re currently drooling over. But there are a few features that packed in which we think make this particular build worth taking a closer look at.įor one, the powder coated 8.5” x 10” enclosure is absolutely gorgeous. Now at this point, a box of buttons hooked up to a microcontroller isn’t exactly newsworthy. If you’ve been considering building one for yourself, this incredible build by should prove quite inspirational. A nice compromise for those that don’t have the space (or NASA-sized budget) to build a full simulator cockpit is a USB “button box” that you can plug in whenever you need a couple dozen extra knobs, switches, and lights. Many people enjoy playing flight simulators or making the occasional orbit in Kerbal Space Program, but most are stuck controlling the onscreen action with nothing more exotic than a keyboard and mouse. What, you don’t have access to a laser cutter? Just build a control panel into an old Heathkit trainer or something. The final version will be made of backlit transparent acrylic, and you know we can’t wait to see that. He’s moved through two prototypes and is working out the bugs before making the next one. Matthew took inspiration and guidance for this project from a couple of sources, so he’s definitely following in the Hackaday spirit of standing on the shoulders of giants. We love the look of this panel, especially the appropriately Futura-fonted labels and all the toggle switches. It’s based on an Arduino Due, and uses some custom I☬ multiplexer boards to wrangle all the various inputs. The intent is not to play solely from this control panel, but to strike a balance between fun inputs and accurate control without screwing up favorite game play modes. He was tired of using such pedestrian controls as a keyboard and mouse for such important work, and wanted something a little more like they have down in Houston.įor this project, he’s focusing on the inputs more than anything else. Is a busy PhD student who loves to make time for a little Kerbal Space Program.
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