High-Level Project Summary
The challenge was Planetary Lander Video Game where the challenge was to "create an inspiring and educational video game or interactive 3D model to simulate a landing on the Moon or Mars!" I developed a prototype for a game that can simulate lunar landing that the player can control. The game gives the players the virtual realization of controlling a lunar lander the player has control on all the engines. This, in turn, would make players more excited and eager to learn about space exploration.
Link to Project "Demo"
Link to Final Project
Detailed Project Description
The Task
The project simulates what a pilot would feel while controlling a human landing system. It shows how all the engines must be working in perfect harmony to get a perfect landing at the desired spot and by multiple attempts, the player gets to assess the gravity and each trial to land give them more insight into the physics behind landing on the moon.
The Working
Using the WASD, Q, and E keys the player is able to control the engines of the lading system. The terrain used is the real 3D model of the Apollo 16 landing site. The player uses the controls to align the lander for a perfect landing.
The objective of the Project
The objective of the project is to give the players an insight into how minute details and control of each component are essential during space exploration. I intend this game to be an entry of interest for young kids in space exploration.
Further expansion of the Project
More landing sites, different landing systems can be added to the game making player engagement even better. It can be expanded to be more diverse by adding different features like launch, orbiting, etc.
Tools
I used Unity 3D with C# to develop this project. The moon's surface is made using the 3D Models available at the NASA 3D library.
The lander model has been was available on sketchfab.com
Space Agency Data
Data from nasa3d.arc.nasa.gov was used to create the terrain. 3D renders of what landing on the moon might look like was a source of inspiration for this project
Hackathon Journey
This experience was really fun. Though there were many setbacks the fun I had while making this made up for it. working on this project also sharpened my skills in Unity3D, 3D models, and working on a project in general.
Systems crashes were a major setback in this journey. Also making the terrain looks just right was quite tricky.
References
Mars Terrain: nasa3d.arc.nasa.gov
Lander: sketchfab.com
Tags
#planeterylander, #videogame, #game, #artemis, #moon, #3D