View source for Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2

===Generating Science from Data===

Normally "data" means "results from scientific instruments or crew activities". Those must be called "experiments" here, because it is important to understand that the word "data" when used in the lab means something different. Experiments are "processed" in the lab module into a special thing that this module calls "data" (doing this uses up the experiment). Any experiment stored anywhere on a vessel with a lab can be used to produce data. 

Each unique experiment can produce data for a given lab module only once, but a duplicate experiment can be taken to another lab and processed there. Note that when an experiment has been used to generate data it is consumed, but if the experiment is re-run the duplicate result can still be transmitted or recovered for its usual science yield. The reverse is also true; any experiment that has already been recovered at KSC for full value can still be run again, stored in the lab, and converted to the full amount of lab data in each new lab.

If one or more scientists are in a lab that contains data, then the lab may be used to perform research - which will consume a small percentage of the processed data every day to produce 5 times that amount of data in science. This process drains a significant amount of electric charge while active. The rate at which the data is converted into science is determined by the amount of stored data, the number of scientists in the lab, and their respective [[Experience|levels]]. The process continues in the background even when the vessel with the lab is not in focus.

Up to 500 units of science can be stored before the results must be manually transmitted back to KSC,  so it is necessary to regularly switch focus to the craft with the lab and transmit the saved science. If the storage buffer fills entirely up with science, research work stops until transmission makes space. Antenna selection is automatic, for the lowest power use, fastest transmission. Only integer quantities of science can be transmitted, so the minimum transmittable is 1 science. 

Alternatively, a lab can be recovered on Kerbin to claim the science, but this would be an unusual effort, since there is no additional science value gained from physically returning this type of science payload.

To generate data, right-click the lab, storage module or experiment where the results are stored, and select "Review Data" from the action menu, then select the "Process Data" option (yellow button) on successive experiment results until the lab's data capacity is full. To store more data in a lab there must be space to fit ''all'' of an experiment's processed data. Hence it can be tricky to fill it up exactly to its 750 capacity.

[[File:Lab goo.png|thumb|left|The lab being used to squeeze out science out of a Mystery goo containment unit]]