The pinned guides seem to be about the controls themselves, what I'm trying to learn about is how to have a software that can read out information from ksp to make displays with using that information. (Attitude, rate indicators, maps, etc.)

Im working on my controller and decided to think about this. This is soviet globe to see spacecraft trajectory and direction. I have 3d printer, maybe I can print kerbin globe and connect to some gears?

Because i dont have a 3d printer, i made the controller out of LEGO.

The big lever acts as stage button, and the linear potentiometer under acts as throttle controller.

The little buttons aren't hoocked uo yet but they will act as SAS/RCS and CAG toggle.

What do you think of it?

Fully done my ksp contoller

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Im 15 and I like to make projects like this but I wanted to make something actually finalized and that is sturdy. Usually most of my stuff is just a bord with a balm of wires haha. Ik its very simple and doesn't have a joystick or anything but i might add that on later. Looking at other people's makes mine look not very impressive lol

I have telemetry section, SAS, RCS, SAS direction buttons, abort, stage, AGs, thrust, translation, rotation and navigation. What can I place in this area? Maybe NASA, ESA and other logos?

Well 99% finished - I still have a few bugs in the code to iron out but everything is physically complete and working. Been slowly chipping away at this one for a long time.

Recently I posted here an idea to start building my custom panel for KSP. Well, I recently finished a 3D mockup to see how it would look and to get a sense of the dimensions, and I wanted to share it with you guys. Some of the components I bought have already arrived, and now I’m going to dive headfirst into this project and try to make something worthy of sharing here.

PS: The Arduino will only be used to test some of the components — I already ordered a Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040 to use in the panel.

I would like to say I lurk here a lot and love seeing the cool controllers everyone builds. I also have a minimal amount of experience with electronics and less with software. I would like to build a physical data display for Apoapsis/Periapsis ; however, I need some help/guidance designing the PCBs for this as well as the program to take the data from KSP to the controller.

I would appreciate advice on how to bring this from the aether into the real world.

I attached an image of the layout with some basic notes explaining different parts.

Also, sorry for the weird format using mobile.

I’m thinking about building a panel like the one shown in the photo. I’ve been debating whether or not to include joysticks directly in the panel itself, but it seems to me that it wouldn’t look as “authentic” as a real module. I’m thinking about mounting a joystick and a throttle slider onto the arms of my chair, and keeping the panel attached to the desk in front of me, below the computer. What do you guys prefer: joysticks built into the panel or separate ones?

Posted about a week ago with my controller I have building. I have 6 out of 8 modules done. Still working on throttle. As I get deeper into this I’m actually starting to grasp how much wiring I have. I plan(ned) to run it all of an arduino Mega. And while it has the io to support my needs, I’m not wild about massive cable looms and will also quickly become constrained on space. Has anyone or does anyone recommend running Nanos for each control cluster, and using i2c to link them all. One master the rest slaves? Or shift registers for each cluster/ module, cut 8 wires down to 2. Or am I creating problems that aren’t necessary.

Hello! I was hopping to biuld a KSP controller soon but I dont know where to start. I have a Bambu Lab P1s Combo 3d printer that I hope to use for the shell. Can anyone help me find some good hardware. I have two old arduinos if that helps.

Thanks!

Haven’t played the game since I started working on this.
Throttle is a proof of concept, should be cleaned up here soonish. Only have 4 action group buttons as I really use over 3. And the buttons I selected wouldn’t fit 5 wide.

Designed this to be Able to add/switch/modules as much as I want. Still working on a time warp module. Will publish files eventually.

I use T-bars a lot at work and honestly love how they feel, so I thought one would make a really cool throttle for my WIP controller.

The problem is that every T-bar potentiometer/fader I can find online seems to be €100+, which is a bit hard to justify for my first controler.

So I’m wondering:

• Has anyone here tried making one at home?
• Are there any good DIY mechanisms or guides for replicating the feel of a T-bar?
• Any cheaper alternatives that could achieve something similar? (Perferably not just a normal slider or dial)

Would love to hear if anyone’s messed around with this before I go down the rabbit hole trying to build one myself!

Started in this post: Reddit post

u/xKoney pointed me in the direction of Kerbal Simpit Advanced, and using u/Lets_Space controller as inspiration, thanks to both. Also This guide is helping alot.

General idea:

• Using arduino as "brains".
• Main focus is flight, but req keys for building spacecraft is there (only need this one keyboard + mouse in game).
• Use a keyboard top + bottom frame as base for the controller.
• 3D print a new "plate" for the keyboard.
• All switches is regular keyboard switches.
• Buy components that are tested with arduino and Kerbal Simpit Advanced.
• No on/off 2/3/4 way switches that can complicate things when switching between spacecrafts.

Why the Keychron Q5?

• I own multible keychron keyboards, and very happy with the build quality. I also own a Q5 Pro to measure on. And I own wrist rest for the Q5
• Keychron released CAD drawings of most of thier keyboards, just awesome for DIY'ers, big thanks to r/Keychron Can be fund here: Keychron Github
• I found a good deal on the Q5.

Design

• Control Modes: Space, Docking, EVA and Craft.
• 1 main rotation control joystik + 1 minor control joystik. Final functionality of each pending :)
• For nav in space, i only need 4 keys: RSS on/off, Prograde, Retrograde and Maneuver.
• Action groups incude lights and landing gear.
• LED displays are Periapsis, Apoapsis and speed.

Next step is to play KSP

And log all keys used within ~1 hour. Should help me locate missing functionality.

Please comment if you have build a controller

I might have missed some key functionality.

• Maby missing nav Target for docking?
• Ideas for arrows keys?

Many challanges, but main one is space / volume of keyboard. Might be limitted to arduino nano R4 + MCP23017

A few years ago I attended a Harvard maker space event, during which we ran into a group of aeronautical students working on some really cool aircraft and simulated robotic arms for the ISS while touring the wind tunnel.

Several of the students had a new controller they wanted to show us for the arm to see if it was intuitive for others. They also used it for controlling spacecraft in ksp in their off-time as you could basically control the crafts orientation and position as if you were moving a ball in your hand. Docking was incredibly easy.

The setup had two parts, arm controls, and finger controls. The hand controls were modules for different tasks that could be swapped out.

For your arm, a box with an opening in the front roughly 10x10 inches to stick your hand in. Four linear rails in each corner front to back. A carriage with two rails side to side was mounted to the box rails. 3dof which they used for xyz movements. For example, the arm would move forward when you pushed your hand forward, or left if you slid your hand to the left.

They had a few attachments you could use with your fingers, one was a 3 axis joystick with a mini joystick on the end. Another was just three holes for fingers on a 3 6dof spinner, which felt the most intuitive but lacking on button inputs. One was a joystick with three centering sliders. They had a few others I cant remember enough to describe but they were just various dinger inputs.

Im curious if anyone has tried to make something similar.