Sandman Mars Lander
 

Hi, been a LONG time since I've posted anything here.
Back in 2006 Gordon Agnello(Sandman) did a build thread on SEMROC's Mars Lander kit.
He used pen springs for suspension on the Lander. I am currently working on a Kosrox Mars Lander and I want to do the same thing. There were pictures posted of his build and I cannot seem to find them. Specifically looking for the spring attach points.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Mark T

I think that build thread may have been over on TRF.

I don't know about the thread using springs, but I did a thread on YORF building a Mars Lander with accessible and serviceable landing gear.

WOW! that was a very long time ago!

Apparently someone, I can't remember who it was, liked it so much he made me an offer I couldn't refuse and I sold it to him.

I sort of remember it.

It used ball point pen springs that were compressed to absorb the shock of landing.

The springs were slipped over 1/8" wood dowels. I tried to redraw it so you kinda get the idea.

The spring is curved into place.

I also did a thread with removable bulkhead and serviceable landing gear. I wasn't the first, so if I copied anything from you, I hope I gave credit.

Here's a link to it. I don't know if the pics are still there or not. Everything is blocked here at work. I did go into detail later in the thread on how I set up the suspension.
https://oldrocketforum.com/showthre...ght=mars+lander

I cannot believe this was from 2008!

I did the same mod to mine when I built my Semroc model, after seeing your post. I opened it up maybe a little over a year ago. Mine had a really hard, angled landing, and busted one leg near the tubing hinge. I removed it, fixed it, and got it put back together. You would never know it had happened. I did replace the rubber band, but it didn’t seem too bad, after about 10 years from when the kit was built.

Yes, that's been a while. It was during my and Kody's intense building phase. We churned out a bunch of rockets during that time. I'd like to think it paid off. His job in college included working with STEM kids in rocketry, and now he's an engineer at Lockheed.

Your repair is proof of concept! I only thought about replacing rubber bands, but if you could do repairs in that small access, you've got skills!

Wow, that thread references Red Arrow. It IS old. :rolleyes:

KosRox Mars Lander Kit pics

You’ve got to be incredibly proud of your son. I’m sure all that rocket building had a huge influence on his career path.

Regarding my repairs, I could not have done it without my Harbor Freight forceps and 6-piece tweezer set! :p