Subscribe to download
BigAnt-ESH01 [Vanilla+Script] - Space Miner

Because, we at Endeavour Industries love big machines, we have taken the step into space and delivered what we believe is the next big personal space hauler. We would like to present you the experimental build Big Ant.
The “Big Ant” was originally constructed as atmospheric surface crawler. However using atmospheric engines turned out to be a problem as the power consumption needed at least 2 big reactors. The idea for the Big Ant was put on hold and the development team moved on to other projects.
One year later the Big Ant project was reopened however this time the original concept was transferred to a Space Hauler concept. The prior 2 big reactors, were reduce to one only and the engines were replaced with ion thrusters. Also further security measures were installed to give the Ant more flexibility. For example a sensor array was installed to warn the pilot of moving to close to the walls of an asteroid and on top several cameras around the ship give a good overview of the surroundings. Of course the hauler comes with installed ore detector and antenna.
Field test have shown that the Big Ant while expensive has a degree of flexibility that most competitors don’t have in their portfolio. The movable drill head gives the pilot the possibility to use the position most favourable to the current task. Also it turned out to be quite useful in excavation works, when it comes to cutting corners.To even increase the functionality we have installed a programm that will let the head follow the wall when activated (Auto tilt). Additionally the capacity of 56206L is nothing to laugh at for the given size. Of course other less expensive excavators can do similar things. But what makes the Big Ant great at the end of the day is the feeling of flying heavy machinery that feels and looks like one.

Yours sincerly
CEO of Endeavour Industries

• Please send a thumbs up my way if you like this build
  
• Please give some feedback if you dislike something about the build, so that i can take a note for the next one or improve the build.
  
• This build is only thought for mining asteroides in space.
  
• This build is using Automatic LCDs 2 script. It is used to keep the drills easier in check. You probably dont need to download it but here is the link anyway.
  
• Scripts will not work when not activated in the settings! This means the display with the cargo load and the autotilt function wont work, if scripts are disabled.
  
• Remember that bugs might still persist, especially with rotors. I take no responsibility for bugs that might decrease the performance or usability of the build.
  
• Warning ! Better not dock or undock with rotor brake on! Always move the drills back into upwards position otherwise when unlucky physics might rip you appart.
  
• This build has changed over time. There are some older pictures you can see in the slide show. I let them be because they give you a nice vibe. The sketchfab model is not quite up to date but changes are only minor.

• Shipspecs
  Block 355 + 56 = 411
  PCU 4,147 +1,667 = 5,814
  Grid Mass 80,607 + 38,705 = 119,312
  
• Thrusters
  44 Ion-thruster
  Forward: 2 Big thrustrers+ 2 small
  Backwards/Up/Down/Left/Right: 8 small thrusters each direction
  
• Energy and flight time
  1 big reactor + 1 small reactor (will be later replaced by a small batery)
  Depending on how much uranium you have available the flight time will be.a few hours to something more than a day
  
• Storage
  6 Drills
  5 Medium cargo container + 1 Big cargo container + 3 Connector (Left,Right,Down)
  
• Other current features
  +8 Timer blocks - used for different tasks, one is still free to use
  +2 programmable Block
  +9 Cameras for a better overview
  +LCD display showing the current cargo status
  +4 Sorters and 8 ejectors
  +Rotors can be turned 180° + some more degrees in the down position
  +5 Sensors around the grid. 3 sensors for proximity alert to an asteroid and the other 2 are for better drill handeling.
  +Programm that allows for auto tilting of the movable drill head and signals ground contact (Still WIP!)
  
• Performance
  +To fill up all cargo containers you need on realistic settings with an open ore pocked only 2-3 minutes!
  +Navigating and turning, will become harder when filled to the brim.

• Be aware that due to the high capacity the Ant becomes very heavy. If you fly with full load back to unload make sure to decrease your speed early enough!
  
• You can mine with the head forward upwards or downward. Especially with the head angled around 50° upward you can mine with you cockpit towards the asteroid having your drills in view.
  
• When the auto tilt function is activated the two signal lights in front of the cockpit will light up when being close with the drill heads to the ground.
  
• You have 3 gyros. You can use one gyro in overwright mode to stabilize the ship. This can be usefule when using the timerblocks to move the drill head up and down, or if you want to go in a straight line digging into an asteroide.
  
• The current key set up is final. But you might want to adjust it to your own needs.
  
• This is a machine not a toy, hence you might need some time to get used to the handlings of the ship in the most eficient way.

• The autotilt function is not super fast so you have to adjust your movements to the speed of it until it reacts, but its still faster than doing it yourself most of the time. To start drilling it also helps if your drills are already pointing in the direction of the astoride when activating the auto tilt function.
  
• When the lights at the front are red you are nomally close enough!

• When the alarm ist going off you are to close to the asteroide. Stop when you hear it.
  
• As the alarm is going off for either the left arm, the right arm or the main body there are indicator lights placed on the arms that indicate which side is to close.
  
• If the alarm is on but neither of the indicators is blinking, it means that the main body is to close to the asteroide.

• Rotorlock bug - As far as i tested I didnt have any problems with this, but keep it in mind.
  
• If you notice that the drills dont work, activate the drills in the tap menue (at the moment ctrl+2 and than 9) to make sure that the ship tools are activated. If it still doesnt work try to rotate the drill head.