Dragonfly Control Software

Devlog 4 of the Dragonfly Control Software Progress has been made! I have made multiple improvements to the code and its functioning in general. First, I added a telemetry integration function using the SCANsat mod (because what is a drone without telemetry, right?). Second, I wrote the scientific sequence function, but I have not yet integrated it into the drone. I have to assign its scientific devices to the action groups and calibrate their operating times. Third, I upgraded the Approach function and it now makes this butter-smooth leveling maneuver (seen on the video below) while also smoothly controlling its throttle, effectively maintaining its altitude within a 3 meter range. This script still has many improvements to be made, and I will definitely keep working on it.

Devlog 3 of the Dragonfly Control Software After having a break because of medical things, I returned to continue improving my project. I updated the Approach function and now it works better. However, Dragonfly is falling short of its target waypoint so I’ll be fixing that problem. Also, I will leave a video showing the Landing function in action, enjoy it.

Devlog 2 of the Dragonfly Control Software. After a complete code rewrite from scratch, I finally figured out how to make Dragonfly maneuver correctly. However, I need to calibrate a PID controller that makes the drone’s nose wobble up and down, but that is a minor problem now. I will continue to perfect the code to make it behave without any mayor issue. Anyways, here is a video of the drone taking off and cruising to its ideal altitude.

Devlog 1 of the Dragonfly Control Software. I started this new project inspired by NASA’s Dragonfly mission since I wanted a harder challenge than the rover autopilot. However, I was then surprised by how difficult it was to make kOS control a drone’s angles (pitch, yaw, and roll) alongside with throttle, height control, speed, and who knows what more. So, I came up with PID functions that were built into kOS’s libraries that auto-correct the drone’s control variables mentiones before. After 2+ hours of troubleshooting in Kerbal Space Program (that sadly are not registered in Hackatime) I made the drone fly. Now, I need to debug the script even more to make it correct its pitch, and add altitude controls for adequate ascending, descending, and landing. I have the Outer Planets mod installed (quick context: KSP does not have Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune; this planet pack mod adds them and some moons into the game), so I sent Dragonfly to Tekto (recreation of Titan, the target moon for the real mission) where gravity is low and atmospheric pressure is higher than Kerbin (Earth in KSP). This moon is an absolute paradise for rotorcrafts like this. I’ll leave a video of the craft successfully performing its first takeoff below. Also, I totally did NOT almost crash it after assuming control.