Back to Mars: Phoebus Mining

Should the freighter get printed logos like the classic space symbol and its name?

In this update I would like to discuss the possibility of a makeover for the support vehicle. In the moment it is a funny, but very basic realisation. In order to increase its serviceableness, I would like to present a possible replacement:

Compared with the basic variant, the new advanced support vehicle would offer some nice features: it cannot only be used to refuel the AMV or unload the collected resources, now it has got a robotic arm (e.g. to unload the big pack) and the astronauts can go on excursion with it.

It would need around 25 additonal parts, but I think the advanced model is by far better compared to the basic one.

Please let me know about your opinion!

After having a closer look at the foldable base camp and focusing on its advanced variant, the way it will be transported is changed a little bit.

By reducing slightly the length of the solar power section, the "big pack" now fits in its entirety into the cargo bay. The running gears or gripping devices are no longer needed; this reduces the overall number of parts. Also a small makeover of the doors at the rear makes it possible to decrease the number of parts even more in order to reduce the price without a visual drawback.

...while we are waiting for more supporters!

[For the time being the following update is more an idea rather than already a part of the content. I would like to know your opinion about it.]

How about a Phoebus Ground Station? A possible solution would be a temporarily base camp which can be transfered to different positions. To make this possible, a foldable structure would be serviceable.

Their are two options for the transport:

1. Split the modul up into two sections and connect a pair of running gears to them. Afterwards they can be handled in the same manner as the mining vehicle. But it would take 3 trips to transfer the camp and the vehicle to Phoebus.
2. Keep the modul connected, add a pair of gripping devices to the "big pack" and attach it below the freighter. Doing it this way, the transfer can happen by a single trip. Smart!

The base camp is available in two different flavors [one needs to be selected]:

1. Normal version with two sections for the astronauts.
2. Adavanced version with one section for the astronauts and the other one adapted to a solar energy and storage section.

[The "big pack" incl. the needed gripping devices would cost ~15€.]

The project contains the following objects:

• Freighter
• Mining Vehicle
• 2 Minifigures

In this configuration 589 pieces are needed, so I the price could be kept close below 60€.

If now some more things like

• Support Unit
• Droid
• Cargo Bay Add-on
• Cargo Boxes (4)
• Tools (4)

are added (119 pieces), the price would inrease to 70-75€.

The question would be: Is an enhanced playability worth an increased price by ~20%?

I would like to thank GenRhogon for his tips: our discussion ended up with an enhanced front of the spacecraft.