My rocket automation QoL1

[fjw]

Hi,

I just finished and tested my rocket automation and wanted to show you hoping to get some feedback. Thanks to @shanemadden here:

I finally got the last puzzle piece, I restarted (because my old base was ) and a week later I got it.

This is my setup:

Phase 1, prepare for launch:


In this phase the rocket gets fueled. It is not ready, yet (R). But it is allowed to start (S). B1 and B2 are on because the rocket is on the ground for a while now (more on that later), thats why the Gantry is outside (G). Rocket Bunkers are closed (RB), no meteor shower incoming (MB).

Phase 1, delayed:



While waiting a meteor shower came. MB is off (this is connected to my other sensors), while the shower is ongoing the fueling was complete. Rocket is ready (R) but not allowed while these Meteors are there.

Phase 2, Countdown:

The meteor shower is over, MB is on again. R and S trigger countdown CD. The filter will give the rocket a Go signal after 50s. Enough to open RB and retract G.
B1 is reset. The launch is imminent. It can't be aborted now.

Phase 2B, launch:

 

Phase 3, the rocket is away:

The signal CD2 is buffered for some seconds more to make sure B1 does not get accidently set. I am not 100% sure if this is needed.



Now we wait for this brave space dupe to return home.

Phase 4, Rocket incoming and landing:

The detector detects the rocket with it's detection detectors and RB gets on. The bunker is openend. B1 got set again. But the signal is delayed by 240s with two filter gates. This is to make sure the rocket is on the ground before the gantry G is opened.

After that everything repeats. Here is my whole spaceport if anybody is interessted:



I would appreciate feedback and suggestions to improve.

 

 

[SethQuantix]

very well done ! and they say I'm going for way too complex automation systems  I love it

[SharraShimada]

Wayyyyyy to complex. For example: You dont need the whole "is there rain outside" automation. You already have that, for your solar farms.

The rocket will never launch, if the launch path is blocked. So, there is no integration of meteor scanner needed. Doors closed, rocket will wait, doors open, rocket may launch. 

As for refueling, i´m not sure, but there was a bug (they fixed it as i recall in QOL2 preview), causing the tanks to overfill. So, in QOL1 or if the bug is not truely fixed yet, there is no use for auto-refuel, becaue one has to doublecheck the fueling all by ourself.

And for the rest, there is one simple automation line enough. Bridge the 2 ports of the command capsule, link it with the rocket-scanner, there is your door automation. A nand-gate on the line, for the gantrys. (you may want some dealays for reducing power consumption, if you use more gantrys). But thats it. 

[biopon]

12 minutes ago, SharraShimada said:

The rocket will never launch, if the launch path is blocked. So, there is no integration of meteor scanner needed. Doors closed, rocket will wait, doors open, rocket may launch. 

While that is true, I like to handle silo doors somewhat independent of doors above the solar panels. Basically on landing my doors open when a rocket is detected, and on takeoff the doors open if the weather is clear. If you bring meteor detection into silo doors in any way, like you suggested, you need to provide for a way to open the doors regardless of weather status when a landing is in progress.

[fjw]

1 hour ago, SharraShimada said:

So, there is no integration of meteor scanner needed

I think you misunderstood. The scanner in the picture scans the rocket! Not the meteors! It is important to automaticly open the doors when the rocket is landing. I don't want open doors while it's away...

1 hour ago, SharraShimada said:

causing the tanks to overfill

I don't care. Steam is so cheap. It will be more difficult when I try to build the next engine types...

I think I will also need the rocket status in the memory gate when I want to fuel more precise later. That's why I need excatly to know if the rocket is there or not. It would be easier with a pressure plate but sadly the don't detect a rocket standing on it.

1 hour ago, SharraShimada said:

And for the rest, there is one simple automation line enough. Bridge the 2 ports of the command capsule, link it with the rocket-scanner, there is your door automation. A nand-gate on the line, for the gantrys. (you may want some dealays for reducing power consumption, if you use more gantrys). But thats it. 

After reconsidering, perhaps you are right. But it works like a charm. I will keep it that way and see what challenges come with the next rocket engines.

[shanemadden]

Yeah, in my experience 'just block the launch bay doors when it's raining' is a good way to smash a whole bunch of bunker doors - more complex automation is necessary than you summarized if integrating with meteor detection, if even by just one XOR gate.

And I'm not sure if the bug with auto-refueling settings not sticking between launches is a good reason to not attempt to have a demand-activated fueling system; it will get fixed, after all!

Certainly there's more simplicity that we can coax out of iterating on solutions to these problems, but hey, that's the point of posting here!

Great work fjw, I'm glad you got it working 

[SharraShimada]

Its so easy guys. Just link an OR-Gate to the blast doors, and connect the rocket-scanner/Rocket itself to it. It will open if a rocket comes down, or will launch. 

And for the overfilling... Yes with steam, there is no big issue there. But with 3 Fuel tanks of petroleum, you want the perfect amount of fuel. First its a waste otherwise, second, the rocket becomes to heavy, if you overfill it. 

And if i´m missunderstood, if it works for you, the solution is perfect. I dont mind, if you overcomplicate things, if you want to. Its your game, not mine. I do not make the calls there. Do as you please. Take my tips, or ignore them. Its fine either way ^^