Difference between revisions of "Science"

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(Lots of detailed how-to stuff. Needs interwiki links and possibly a few pictures.)
(science returns from transmitting are higher than expected)
 
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<!-- gif is missing or corrupted [[File:KSP_Tech_Progression.gif|thumb|The first few stages of the Tech tree, showing the unlock system]] -->
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{{for|the game mode|science mode}}
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[[File:Lander on Duna.png|thumb|A lander on Duna to gather scientific data]]
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{{for|the parts|parts#Science}}
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[[File:EVA report.png|thumb|An image of the GUI after doing an EVA report]]
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[[File:EVA report.png|thumb|upright=1|An image of the GUI after doing an EVA report]]
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'''Science''', sometimes called '''science points''', is needed to unlock new [[parts]] in the [[technology tree]]. It is obtained by performing different scientific '''activities''' in different '''situations''' and '''biomes''' (where available), then either returning to [[Kerbin]] and recovering the craft or transmitting the activity data home with an [[antenna]].
+
'''Science''' is a gameplay feature used to unlock [[parts]] in the [[technology tree]] when playing in the [[Career]] or [[Science mode|Science]] modes by spending '''science points''', which are mainly obtained by performing various [[Science#Activities|scientific activities]] in different [[Science#Situations|situations]] and [[Science#Biomes|biomes]]. Science may also be obtained upon successful completion of certain [[contracts]], or gained through the implementation of [[strategies|administrative strategies]]. Science must either be recovered or transmitted in order to be used on Kerbin to unlock additional technologies. While transmission is generally not for 100% value, experiments may be repeated and retransmitted, often gaining more science value than the transmit window shows.  Experiments can be removed from the parts they were performed in and are stored with a Kerbal on [[EVA]]. Additionally, science experiments can be stored in and retrieved from any part that Kerbals can ride in, although only one copy of an experiment for any specific situation (e.g. EVA report flying over Kerbin's shores) can be stored per [[command pod]]. Science and all related instruments and buildings are made inoperative while in [[Sandbox]] mode due to its triviality—all parts are available from the start of a Sandbox game.
  
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== For Beginners: what is Science, anyway? ==
+
In addition to the facts collected on this page, you can follow this beginner-friendly [[Tutorial:Science|Science tutorial]].
  
−
Science is making observations and getting the reports home. Too abstract? Then let's make a short tutorial: design the simplest ship possible, a plain [[Command Pod Mk1]] and nothing else. Hit "Launch". Of course, that pod won't go anywhere, but it doesn't need to: on the launchpad, right-click the pod, select "Crew Report", and you're doing science! You cannot transmit the results, because your simple craft has no antenna. In order to get the data home, you need to [[recover]] your vessel.
+
== Situations ==
−
 
+
'''Situations''' reflect the flight status of the craft or [[kerbonaut]] relative to a celestial body. There are six possible situations, some of which may be irrelevant to a given science activity or unavailable on a given celestial body.
−
'''Important Science Fact''': whatever you do in the field, you won't get any Science Points until you return the data, either by radio transmission or by recovering the vessel where the results are kept.
 
−
 
 
−
[[#Crew_Report|Crew Report]] is just one Science Activity; your crew may also leave the pod and create an [[#EVA_Report|EVA Report]] or collect [[#Surface_Sample|Soil Samples]]. Later you will also get dedicated science instruments like thermometers or the [[Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit]].
 
−
 
 
−
===Biomes===
 
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'''[[Biomes]]''' are areas of a body's surface defined by an additional map in KSP game data. Currently{{Check version||0.23.5}} only the planet [[Kerbin]] and its moons, [[Mun]] and [[Minmus]], are fully detailed with biomes.
 
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−
If you paid attention during out brief tutorial above, you noticed that you got a "Crew Report from the Launch Pad" -- just getting you capsule off the pad will move it into a new biome where you can get a new report for fresh Science Points. Actually, Kerbal Space Center alone is made up of three different biomes; the rest of the planet is not as finely detailed, but Mountains, Deserts, Icecaps and so on are easy to make out from above. You will need to collect quite a few surface samples etc. from Kerbin before you can even consider going to the Mun.
 
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−
On Mun and Minmus every large crater (or depression, respectively) is a biome to it's own, plus a few more in-between. The latter are nowhere near as obvious as desert and grassland are on Kerbin, but there are slight differences in the look of the surface. For fully detailed maps, refer to the [[Biomes]] article.
 
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−
Some combinations of activity and situation ignore biomes and give the same result wherever performed within an SOI; these combinations are marked " Global " in the table below.
 
−
 
 
−
===Situations===
 
−
'''Situations''' reflect the flight status of your craft or [[kerbonaut]] relative to a celestial body. There are six possible situations, some of which may be irrelevant to a given science activity or unavailable on a given celestial body.
 
 
* SrfLanded: in contact with the terrestrial surface
 
* SrfLanded: in contact with the terrestrial surface
 
* SrfSplashed: in a liquid body on the surface (such as oceans)
 
* SrfSplashed: in a liquid body on the surface (such as oceans)
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* In Space High: high above the surface and any atmosphere but still in its [[Sphere of influence|SOI]]
 
* In Space High: high above the surface and any atmosphere but still in its [[Sphere of influence|SOI]]
  
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An atmosphere is required for the situations "''Flying Low''" and "''Flying High''" and for using the ''[[PresMat Barometer]]'' and the ''[[Sensor Array Computing Nose Cone]]''. Also, KSP only considers a craft (or Kerbal) to be flying in an atmospheric region if it is on a sub-orbital trajectory. For example, taking readings while [[aerobraking]] in the upper atmosphere will return data for the "In Space Low" situation instead of "''Flying High''" even if the altitude is below the edge of space.
+
[[File:Lander on Duna.png|thumb|upright=1|A scientific lander on [[Duna]]]]
  
−
== Getting Results Back Home ==
+
An atmosphere is required for the situations "''Flying Low''" and "''Flying High''" and for usage of the ''[[Atmospheric Fluid Spectro-Variometer]]''. As of KSP version 1.0.2, the ''[[PresMat Barometer]]'' can be used without an atmosphere. If soaring through an upper or lower atmosphere on a trajectory to an escape from the planet or moon's sphere of influence, the situation is assigned as "In Space Low" regardless of the presence of the atmosphere. The situation will only change to "Flying High" or "Flying Low" if/when the aerodynamic forces cause an orbit to be captured during the encounter.
  
−
As said above: doing lots of science in the field will not suffice. Only when the results somehow find their way to your R&D department will you be credited with science points.
+
== Biomes ==
 +
'''[[Biomes]]''' are areas of a body's surface specially mapped in KSP game data. Each additional biome grants a separate set of opportunities to do Science Activities, provided the Activity is biome-dependent in the given Situation. Each [[planet]] with solid surface and each [[moon]] has biomes, because of this several biomes have to be visited with [[lander]]s or [[rover]]s for total research of the given celestial body.
  
−
=== Transmission and Recovery Values ===
+
== Activities ==
  
−
[[File:Mystery_Goo_report.png|thumb|upright|left|Mystery Goo Observation]]
+
This is an overview of all science activities which can be performed and how results differ by '''biome''' and '''situation'''. Activities performed within one [[sphere of influence]](SOI) have no effect on the Science Points that can be earned doing science activities within the SOI of any other [[celestial body]].
−
For every result, you have the choice to either transmit the data or to keep it. For most experiments, transmission will yield significantly fewer points than recovering the results -- so much should be obvious. The two bars at the bottom of that window carry a lot of information, though:
 
  
−
First example, Mystery Goo:
+
=== Possible combinations of Activity, Situation, and Biome ===
−
The absolute length of the bars represents the total amount of Science Points that can be collected from that particular experiment, in this case that would be 13 points. The bright green line shows the fraction of points you will get for performing the experiment once; in this case, 10/13th or approx 77%. If you repeat that experiment, you will get 77% of the remaining three points, and so on. Every time you repeat that particular experiment and recover the data, you will receive ~77% of however many (or few) science points are still left. As a rule of thumb, repeatable experiments are pretty much depleted after the third time.
+
The top row of the chart names each Activity; the left hand column shows the six possible Situations.  
  
−
The blue bar indicating transmission value follows a similar pattern, but please notice how even the dark blue stops far short of the total amount. No matter how many transmissions you make, you won't receive more than 30% of the available points. Once you are above the 30% threshold (eg, because you already returned one container), further transmissions will be worthless. The [[Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2]] can boost that number a a little (more on that below), but the fact remains: transmissions alone will get you only so far.
+
Each intersection shows whether the Activity is possible for a given Situation and, if so, whether it differs by '''Biome''' or gives one '''Global''' result for the entire celestial body.  
  
−
[[File:EVA report.png|thumb|upright|left|EVA report]]
+
Activities and situations requiring an atmosphere are <span style="background-color:#e9e9f9;">''italicized and colored''</span>. Surface: Splashed currently can only be accomplished on [[Kerbin]], [[Eve]], and [[Laythe]].
−
For comparison, an EVA Report:
 
−
Whether you transmit or return the data, you will get the full science points all in one go. That kind is often called "non-repeatable experiments", although "no need to repeat" would be more precise. You may of course repeat this; filing the results more than once won't get you any more Science Points, though.
 
−
 
 
−
===Recovering the results while leaving the equipment: Taking and Storing Data===
 
−
 
 
−
All results are kept somewhere. If your Kerbal takes a surface sample, he carries it on himself at first. The moment he enters a pod or capsule, the result is transferred from Kerbal to capsule. A message on the screen notifies you of this, though it fades pretty quickly.
 
−
 
 
−
If your research is based on equipment, like thermometers or the [[Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit]], the results are on said equipment. Probably the most convenient means of recovering these results is to just recover the science modules, but this is not the only way: a Kerbal can take the data (right-click during EVA, while in close proximity to the equipment in question) and subsequently transfer them to a pod, capsule, or some other modules. Simple experiments (e.g., thermometers) will then be available for immediate re-use; more complicated ones (e.g., Mystery Goo) will need to be cleaned out. The Lab is the only means of doing so during a mission. Still, once the data has been taken off them, the spent modules may safely be left behind.
 
−
 
 
−
Getting and staying close enough to effect an transfer can be a hassle sometimes, even on the ground, much more so in space. Having ladders to cling to makes this much easier.
 
−
 
 
−
Kerbals can also take data from one pod and move it to another: that's important when you want to make an Appollo-Style Mission where the Lander Module and the Return Vessel are two distinct spacecraft.
 
−
 
 
−
Most modules have only a limited capacity; typically, command pods can only take "one of each": one surface sample from here and one from there is possible, but if you want to take home two surface samples from the same site you need to bring two pods. Incidentally, it is not necessary to board a capsule only to transfer the data, you can again do this by right-click while being close to it. Putting data onto a module from the outside (i.e. without boarding the module) will store only as much data as the module can take, the remainder stays with the Kerbal.
 
−
 
 
−
Kerbals can take an unlimited amount of data from modules, even if that data includes several soil samples and EVA reports.
 
−
 
 
−
If you transmit data, you will implicitly "take" it from a module without the hassles of EVA. The other effects regarding re-usability and the possible need to clean out the module are the same, regardles of whether you take the data manually or by transmission.
 
−
 
 
−
== Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2 ==
 
−
The [[Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2]] improves the value of science data before transmitting it; it has no effect on data kept aboard. Crew Reports and EVA Reports have no penalty on transmitting them, so lab processing doesn't benefit these two. The others typically improve by 50% (if the standard Transmit Value for a given experiment is 20%, the Lab pushes this to 30% and so on). While quite a boost, this still leaves a lot of unrecovered Science Points, so you probably still want to bring data back home.
 
−
 
 
−
However, the [[Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2]] can also store infinite amounts of scientific data - even multiple copies from the same experiment in the same situation & biome.
 
−
 
 
−
Finally, it can clean the [[Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit]] and [[SC-9001 Science Jr.]] modules, making them available for reuse after transmitting or collecting data.
 
−
 
 
−
Refer to the [[main article|Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2]] for ramifications and usage scenarios.
 
−
 
 
−
== Tables ==
 
−
 
 
−
This is an overview of all science activities which can be performed and how results differ by '''biome''' and '''situation'''. Activities performed within one [[sphere of influence]](SOI) have no effect on the Science Points that can be earned doing science activities within the SOI of any other [[celestial body]].
 
−
 
 
−
=== Table of science activities and situations ===
 
−
The top row of the chart names each activity; the left hand column shows the six possible situations. Each intersection shows whether the activity is possible and, if so, whether it differs by '''Biome''' or gives one '''Global''' result for the entire celestial body for a given situation.
 
−
 
 
−
Activities and situations requiring an atmosphere are <span style="background-color:#e9e9f9;">''italicized and colored''</span>.
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
! scope="row" rowspan="2" |  
 
! scope="row" rowspan="2" |  
−
! colspan="2" | Kerbonaut
+
! colspan="5" | Kerbonaut
 
! scope="col" | Capsule
 
! scope="col" | Capsule
−
! colspan="7" | Modules
+
! colspan="9" | Modules
 
|-
 
|-
−
! scope="col" | [[#Surface_Sample|Surface Sample]] <!-- use [[Surface Sample]] as soon as the target is not in this page -->
+
<!-- If there is an article about an experiment (not the part) which doesn't redirect here, that should be used. Otherwise use the internal link. -->
−
! scope="col" | [[#EVA_Report|EVA Report]] <!-- use [[EVA Report]] as soon as the target is not in this page -->
+
! scope="col" | [[#Surface_Sample|Surface Sample]]
−
! scope="col" | [[#Crew_Report|Crew Report]] <!-- use [[Crew Report]] as soon as the target is not in this page -->
+
! scope="col" | [[#EVA_Report|EVA Report]]
−
! scope="col" | [[Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit]]
+
! scope="col" | [[#EVA_Experiments|EVA Experiments]]
−
! scope="col" | [[SC-9001 Science Jr.]]
+
! scope="col" | [[#Asteroid Sample|Asteroid Sample]]
−
! scope="col" | [[2HOT Thermometer]]
+
! scope="col" | [[#Comet Sample|Comet Sample]]
−
! scope="col" style="font-style:italic; background-color:#e9e9f9;" | [[PresMat Barometer]]
+
! scope="col" | [[#Crew_Report|Crew Report]]
−
! scope="col" | [[GRAVMAX Negative Gravioli Detector]]
+
! scope="col" | [[#Table_of_science_modules|Mystery Goo Observation]]
−
! scope="col" | [[Double-C Seismic Accelerometer]]
+
! scope="col" | [[#Table_of_science_modules|Materials Study]]
−
! scope="col" style="font-style:italic; background-color:#e9e9f9;" | [[Sensor Array Computing Nose Cone]]
+
! scope="col" | [[#Table_of_science_modules|Temperature Scan]]
 +
! scope="col" | [[#Table_of_science_modules|Atmospheric Pressure Scan]]
 +
! scope="col" | [[#Table_of_science_modules|Gravity Scan]]
 +
! scope="col" | [[#Table_of_science_modules|Seismic Scan]]
 +
! scope="col" style="font-style:italic; background-color:#e9e9f9;" | [[#Table_of_science_modules|Atmosphere Analysis]]
 +
! scope="col" | [[#Table_of_science_modules|Infrared Telescope]]
 +
! scope="col" | [[#Table_of_science_modules|Magnetometer Boom]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row" style="text-align:right;" | Surface: Landed
 
! scope="row" style="text-align:right;" | Surface: Landed
 +
|Biome
 +
|Biome
 +
|Global
 +
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
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|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
−
|style="font-style:italic; background-color:#e9e9f9;" |Biome
 
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|style="font-style:italic; background-color:#e9e9f9;" |Biome
 
|style="font-style:italic; background-color:#e9e9f9;" |Biome
 +
|—
 +
|—
 
|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row" style="text-align:right;" | Surface: Splashed
 
! scope="row" style="text-align:right;" | Surface: Splashed
 +
|Biome
 +
|Biome
 +
|—
 +
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
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|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
−
|style="font-style:italic; background-color:#e9e9f9;" |Biome
 
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|—
 
|—
 
|—
 
|—
 +
|—
 +
|—
 +
|-
 
|-style="font-style:italic; background-color:#e9e9f9;"
 
|-style="font-style:italic; background-color:#e9e9f9;"
 
! scope="row" style="text-align:right;" | Flying Low
 
! scope="row" style="text-align:right;" | Flying Low
 
| —
 
| —
 +
|Biome
 +
|—
 +
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
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|—
 
|—
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
 +
|—
 +
|—
 +
|-
 
|-style="font-style:italic; background-color:#e9e9f9;"
 
|-style="font-style:italic; background-color:#e9e9f9;"
−
! scope="row" style="text-align:right;" | Flying&nbsp;High
+
! scope="row" style="text-align:right;" | Flying High
 
| —
 
| —
 +
|Global
 +
|—
 +
|Global
 
|Global
 
|Global
 
|Global
 
|Global
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|—
 
|—
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
 +
|—
 +
|—
 
|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row" style="text-align:right;" | In Space Low
 
! scope="row" style="text-align:right;" | In Space Low
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|Global
 
|Global
 
|Global
 
|Global
 +
|Global
 +
|Global
 +
|Global
 +
|Global
 +
|Biome
 
|—
 
|—
−
|Biome
 
 
|—
 
|—
 
|—
 
|—
 +
|Global
 
|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row" style="text-align:right;" | In Space High
 
! scope="row" style="text-align:right;" | In Space High
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|Global
 
|Global
 
|Global
 
|Global
−
|—
+
|Global
−
|—
+
|Global
 +
|Global
 +
|Global
 +
|Global
 
|Biome
 
|Biome
 
|—
 
|—
 
|—
 
|—
 +
|Global
 +
|Global
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
=== Surface Sample ===
+
=== Crew ===
 +
The following Activities are performed by Kerbals during an EVA or from within a crewed command module.
 +
 
 +
==== Surface Sample ====
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
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! Requires
 
! Requires
 
| One kerbonaut
 
| One kerbonaut
 +
|-
 +
! Data size
 +
| 30 Mits
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Base value
 
! Base value
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! Transmission efficiency
 
! Transmission efficiency
 
| 25%
 
| 25%
−
|-
 
−
! Processing bonus
 
−
| +12%
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Processing energy
 
! Processing energy
−
| 300&nbsp;E
+
| 300&nbsp;{{mark|echu}}
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
'''Surface Samples''' can be taken by kerbonauts when performing an EVA on the ground or in water of a celestial body. The results vary by biome and are different while swimming within the biome too.
+
'''Surface Samples''' can be taken by kerbonauts when performing an EVA on the ground (or from on top of a landed or splashed craft) or in water of a celestial body. The results vary by biome and situation (landed or splashed) just as with craft. However, there is one detail to note: a Kerbal swimming in the water is splashed, but a Kerbal standing on top of a ''splashed'' craft is '''landed'''. So two different surface samples can be collected from any floating craft.
 +
 
 +
In [[Career]] mode, Surface Samples cannot be taken without having the [[Research and Development]] Facility and [[Astronaut Complex]] upgraded to second level.
  
−
=== EVA Report ===
+
==== EVA Report ====
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
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! Requires
 
! Requires
 
| One kerbonaut
 
| One kerbonaut
 +
|-
 +
! Data size
 +
| 8 Mits
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Base value
 
! Base value
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! Transmission efficiency
 
! Transmission efficiency
 
| 100%
 
| 100%
 +
|-
 +
! Processing energy
 +
| 80&nbsp;{{mark|echu}}
 +
|}
 +
 +
'''EVA Reports''' are performed by kerbonauts on an [[EVA]]. The results vary by biome and situation (landed, splashed, or "flying"). There is one detail to note: a Kerbal swimming in the water is splashed, but a Kerbal standing on top of a ''splashed'' craft is '''landed''' — up to three different EVA reports can be collected from any floating craft. The easiest ways to take a Flying Low report are to jump from the surface or hang onto a ladder.
 +
 +
Only one EVA Report per biome/situation combination is necessary. A kerbonaut can only take and hold one EVA Report at a time without storing it in a Command Pod, though reports retrieved from a Command Pod have no limitations on how many of a type can be carried.
 +
 +
==== EVA Experiments ====
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Requires
 +
| One kerbonaut
 +
|-
 +
! Data size
 +
| 25 Mits
 +
|-
 +
! Base value
 +
| 25
 +
|-
 +
! Maximum value
 +
| 25
 +
|-
 +
! Data scale
 +
| 1
 +
|-
 +
! Transmission efficiency
 +
| 100%
 +
|-
 +
! Processing energy
 +
| 250&nbsp;{{mark|echu}}
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
'''EVA Reports''' are done by kerbonauts on an [[EVA]]. Like crew reports they give different results depending on altitude and biome (if performed low enough). Only one EVA Report per biome/situation combination is necessary. The easiest ways to take a Flying Low report are to jump from the surface, or hang onto a ladder whilst landed.
+
'''EVA Experiments''' are performed by kerbonauts on an [[EVA]], using the [[EVA Experiments Kit]]. The kerbonaut may not hold on to a ladder when doing the experiment. This type of science was added in version 1.11.
 +
 
 +
==== Asteroid Sample ====
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Requires
 +
|
 +
* One kerbonaut
 +
* One [[Asteroid]]
 +
|-
 +
! Data size
 +
| 60 Mits
 +
|-
 +
! Base value
 +
| 60
 +
|-
 +
! Maximum value
 +
| 70
 +
|-
 +
! Data scale
 +
| 1
 +
|-
 +
! Transmission efficiency
 +
| 30%
 +
|-
 +
! Processing energy
 +
| 600&nbsp;{{mark|echu}}
 +
|}
  
−
A kerbonaut can only take and hold one EVA Report at a time without storing it in a Command Pod, though reports retrieved from a Command Pod have no limitations on how many of a type can be carried.
+
'''Asteroid Samples''' can be taken by kerbonauts when performing an EVA close to an asteroid. The samples give various results depending on the altitude of the orbiting planet.
  
−
=== Crew Report ===
+
==== Comet Sample ====
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Requires
 +
| colspan="4" |
 +
* One kerbonaut
 +
* One [[Comet]]
 +
|-
 +
!Period
 +
|Short
 +
|Intermediate
 +
|Long
 +
|Interstellar
 +
|-
 +
! Data size
 +
| 90 Mits
 +
| 135 Mits
 +
| 270 Mits
 +
| 900 Mits
 +
|-
 +
! Base value
 +
| 90
 +
| 135
 +
| 270
 +
| 900
 +
|-
 +
! Maximum value
 +
| 100
 +
| 150
 +
| 300
 +
| 1000
 +
|-
 +
! Data scale
 +
| 1
 +
| 1
 +
| 1
 +
| 1
 +
|-
 +
! Transmission efficiency
 +
| 60%
 +
| 60%
 +
| 60%
 +
| 60%
 +
|-
 +
! Processing energy
 +
| 900&nbsp;{{mark|echu}}
 +
| 1350&nbsp;{{mark|echu}}
 +
| 2700&nbsp;{{mark|echu}}
 +
| 9000&nbsp;{{mark|echu}}
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
'''Comet Samples''' can be taken by kerbonauts when performing an EVA close to a comet. The samples give various results depending on the altitude of orbit and situation. The science produced depends on the period of the comet.
 +
 
 +
==== Crew Report ====
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
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! Requires
 
! Requires
 
| A manned command pod
 
| A manned command pod
 +
|-
 +
! Data size
 +
| 5 Mits
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Base value
 
! Base value
Line 243: Line 356:
 
! Transmission efficiency
 
! Transmission efficiency
 
| 100%
 
| 100%
 +
|-
 +
! Processing energy
 +
| 50&nbsp;{{mark|echu}}
 
|}
 
|}
  
Line 253: Line 369:
 
Experiments done by separate parts like the [[Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit]] behave similarly to Crew Reports. They may be performed in different flight phases and on different celestial bodies returning different results. Each module can only store one result at a time, but a result can be sent home with an [[antenna]] to allow the experiment to be performed again under the same or under new conditions. Data can also be extracted from the module by a kerbonaut during an EVA. There is a penalty for transmitting data home instead of recovering the module to Kerbin.  
 
Experiments done by separate parts like the [[Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit]] behave similarly to Crew Reports. They may be performed in different flight phases and on different celestial bodies returning different results. Each module can only store one result at a time, but a result can be sent home with an [[antenna]] to allow the experiment to be performed again under the same or under new conditions. Data can also be extracted from the module by a kerbonaut during an EVA. There is a penalty for transmitting data home instead of recovering the module to Kerbin.  
  
−
Since {{version|0.23}}, transmitting or collecting data renders the Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit and SC-9001 Science Jr. disabled for the remainder of a flight. If the craft has (or can be docked with) a fully crewed [[lab]], it can reset those modules at a cost of time and electric charge.
+
Since {{version|0.23}}, transmitting or collecting data renders the Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit and SC-9001 Science Jr. disabled for the remainder of a flight. If the craft has (or can be docked with) a fully crewed [[lab]], it can reset those modules at a cost of time and electric charge.  Since {{version|1.0}}, these modules can also be reset by a scientist on EVA, allowing a craft with a scientist on board to collect multiple results (from different situations and biomes) on a single mission, without needing a full lab as part of the craft.  The results collected and stored during a mission can be transferred to a lab at the end of the mission (or taken back to Kerbin).
  
 +
==== Table of science modules ====
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Experiment
 
! Experiment
 
| Mystery Goo Observation
 
| Mystery Goo Observation
−
| Materials Study
 
 
| Temperature Scan
 
| Temperature Scan
 
| Atmospheric Pressure Scan
 
| Atmospheric Pressure Scan
 +
| Materials Study
 
| Seismic Scan
 
| Seismic Scan
 +
| Atmosphere Analysis
 +
| Infrared Telescope
 +
| Magnetometer Report
 
| Gravity Scan
 
| Gravity Scan
−
| Atmosphere Analysis
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Required part (tech tree lvl)
 
! Required part (tech tree lvl)
−
| [[Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit]] (2)
+
| [[Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit]] (1)
 +
| [[2HOT Thermometer]] (2)
 +
| [[PresMat Barometer]] (3)
 
| [[SC-9001 Science Jr.]] (4)
 
| [[SC-9001 Science Jr.]] (4)
−
| [[2HOT Thermometer]] (5)
 
−
| [[PresMat Barometer]] (6)
 
 
| [[Double-C Seismic Accelerometer]] (7)
 
| [[Double-C Seismic Accelerometer]] (7)
 +
| [[Atmospheric Fluid Spectro-Variometer]] (7)
 +
| [[SENTINEL Infrared Telescope]] (7)
 +
| [[Magnetometer Boom]] (7)
 
| [[GRAVMAX Negative Gravioli Detector]] (8)
 
| [[GRAVMAX Negative Gravioli Detector]] (8)
−
| [[Sensor Array Computing Nose Cone]] (8)
+
|-
 +
! Data size
 +
| 10 Mits
 +
| 8 Mits
 +
| 12 Mits
 +
| 25 Mits
 +
| 50 Mits
 +
| 200 Mits
 +
| 30 Mits
 +
| 45 Mits
 +
| 60 Mits
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Base value
 
! Base value
 
| 10
 
| 10
−
| 25
 
 
| 8
 
| 8
 
| 12
 
| 12
 +
| 25
 
| 20
 
| 20
 
| 20
 
| 20
 +
| 15
 +
| 45
 
| 20
 
| 20
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Maximum value
 
! Maximum value
 
| 13
 
| 13
−
| 32
 
 
| 8
 
| 8
 
| 12
 
| 12
 +
| 32
 +
| 22
 +
| 24
 
| 22
 
| 22
 +
| 45
 
| 22
 
| 22
−
| 24
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Data scale
 
! Data scale
Line 299: Line 435:
 
| 1
 
| 1
 
| 2.5
 
| 2.5
 +
| 10
 +
| 2
 +
| 1
 
| 3
 
| 3
−
| 10
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Transmission efficiency
 
! Transmission efficiency
 
| 30%
 
| 30%
−
| 20%
 
 
| 50%
 
| 50%
 
| 50%
 
| 50%
 +
| 35%
 
| 45%
 
| 45%
 +
| 60%
 +
| 40%
 +
| 60%
 
| 40%
 
| 40%
−
| 35%
 
−
|-
 
−
! Processing bonus
 
−
| +15%
 
−
| +10%
 
−
| +25%
 
−
| +25%
 
−
| +22%
 
−
| +20%
 
−
| +17%
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Processing energy (E)
+
! Processing energy ({{mark|echu}})
 
| 100
 
| 100
−
| 250
 
 
| 80
 
| 80
 
| 120
 
| 120
 +
| 250
 
| 500
 
| 500
 +
| 2000
 +
| 300
 +
| 450
 
| 600
 
| 600
−
| 2000
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
The transmission efficiency caps the maximum returnable science with the experiment via antennae. To gather all scientific value experiments needs to be recovered.
+
The transmission efficiency caps the maximum returnable science with the experiment via antennae. To gather all scientific value experiments needs to be recovered. With the release of 1.0, transmission efficiency drops radically on experiments that have already been performed and transmitted. If an experiment is recovered, transmission efficiency for that experiment drops to zero (situation and biome specific).
 +
 
 +
==== Recovering the maximum value of an experiment ====
 +
Experiments that have a maximum value different from the minimum value will only give a certain percentage of its remaining value, this percentage can be calculated using the formula: Minimum value/ Maximum value.
 +
Consequently, these experiments can be repeated to get more fractions of the remaining points. An effective way to do this is by recovering multiple copies of an experiment. This can easily be accomplished by storing the experiments inside multiple [[Experiment_Storage_Unit|Experiment Storage Units]] and then recovering it.
 +
 
 +
===== Repeated experiment value =====
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Experiment
 +
| Mystery Goo Observation
 +
| Temperature Scan
 +
| Atmospheric Pressure Scan
 +
| Materials Study
 +
| Seismic Scan
 +
| Atmosphere Analysis
 +
| Infrared Telescope
 +
| Magnetometer Report
 +
| Gravity Scan
 +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
 +
! Percentage
 +
| 1 → 77% <br>2 → 95%<br>3 → 99%<br>4 → 100%
 +
| 1 → 100%
 +
| 1 → 100%
 +
| 1 → 78%<br>2 → 95%<br>3 → 99%<br>4 → 100%
 +
| 1 → 91%<br>2 → 99%
 +
| 1 → 83%<br>2 → 97%<br>3 → 100%
 +
| 1 → 68%<br>2 → 90%<br>3 → 97%<br>4 → 99%
 +
| 1 → 100%
 +
| 1 → 91%<br>2 → 99%
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
You will need at most 4 copies (experiments with higher percentages need less) of an experiment to get close enough to 100% for it to be noticeable in the Archives section.
 +
 
 +
Take Mystery Goo for example. With base value of 10 and maximum value of 13, each consecutive experiment will yield 10/13 ≈ 77% of the remaining value.
 +
That results in the following numbers - assuming a [[#Celestial_body_multipliers|location multiplier]] of 1×, such as <abbr title="Low Kerbin Orbit">LKO</abbr>.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"
 +
|-
 +
! Repetition
 +
! colspan="2" | Experiment value
 +
! colspan="2" | Cumulative value
 +
|-
 +
! #1
 +
| 76.92%
 +
| 10.0⚛
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
! #2
 +
| 17.75%
 +
| 2.3⚛
 +
| 94.67%
 +
| 12.3⚛
 +
|-
 +
! #3
 +
| 4.10%
 +
| 0.5⚛
 +
| 98.77%
 +
| 12.8⚛
 +
|-
 +
! #4
 +
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.95%
 +
| 0.1⚛
 +
| 99.72%
 +
| 13.0⚛
 +
|}
  
−
== Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2 ==
+
Note: in the Archives section it is shown how many science points have been obtained from an experiment - right-most column, labelled "Science" - with two decimal digits (0.01) precision.
−
The [[Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2]] improves the value of science data before transmitting it; it has no effect on data kept aboard. Crew Reports and EVA Reports have no penalty on transmitting them, so lab processing doesn't benefit these two. For others, it can squeeze out points from reports that at first have "+0.0 Science" value to transmit. It can also clean the [[Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit]] and [[SC-9001 Science Jr.]] to reuse them after transmitting or collecting data.
+
In order to max out this value, the worst case is the Infrared Telescope in Low Orbit around Eeloo: you will need 10 copies of the experiment!
  
−
Both cleaning and processing required a certain amount of time and electric charge. Cleaning an experiment requires the same amount of energy as processing its report data.
+
=== Craft recovery ===
  
−
The [[Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2]] can also store multiple copies of scientific data - even those from the same experiment in the same situation & biome. For example, a lander could conduct three material studies with separate [[SC-9001 Science Jr.]] units, rendezvous and dock with a ship containing a [[Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2]], then have a Kerbal on EVA "Take Data" from each [[SC-9001 Science Jr.]] and place it in the lab. This must be done once per piece of data, as a Kerbal can only store one type of unique data at a time. Most experiments can be 'maxed out' in a single trip by recovering three or four samples.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="2" width=20% | Celestial Body
 +
! width=10% | Flyby
 +
! width=15% | Orbital Flight
 +
! width=15% | Suborbital Flight
 +
! width=15% | Atmospheric Flight
 +
! width=15% | Surface Landed
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" | Kerbin
 +
! Base Value
 +
| N/A
 +
| 10
 +
| 8
 +
| 5
 +
| N/A
 +
|-
 +
! Max Value
 +
| N/A
 +
| 12
 +
| 9.6
 +
| 6
 +
| N/A
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" | Other
 +
! Base Value
 +
| 6
 +
| 8
 +
| 10
 +
| 12
 +
| 15
 +
|-
 +
! Max Value
 +
| 7.2
 +
| 9.6
 +
| 12
 +
| 14.4
 +
| 18
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="7" | The Base- and Max Value of celestial bodies other than Kerbin have to be multiplied by their body-specific recovery multiplier listed below.
 +
|}
 +
Recovering any craft with a [[command module]] after flight will yield science points based on the most scientifically valuable phase (based on Max Value*Celestial body multiplier) of the journey. As seen in the table the value of each phase increases the closer a spacecraft has been to orbit. The opposite is true for other [[celestial_body|celestial bodies]]. In order to earn recovery science from atmospheric flight, the craft cannot reach a suborbital trajectory, as this would become marked as the most valuable phase of the flight. This is even the case when many suborbital flights have been performed before it, and science returns would be effectively higher from a craft that only experienced flight. The different phases are defined as follows:
 +
* Flyby: Only the [[periapsis]] is  within the [[SOI]].
 +
* Orbit: The periapsis and apoapsis are within the SOI and the orbit does not intersect the surface.
 +
* Suborbit: The ship is above and the periapsis is inside the atmosphere or the surface.
 +
* Flight: The body is within the [[atmosphere]].
 +
* Landed: The craft is touching the surface of the body.
 +
* Splashed down: The ship is touching water without touching the ground. It cannot touch the ground because, for example, it is possible to be Landed on Kerbin's water if you get a ship to sink to the ocean floor.
  
−
== Craft recovery ==
 
  
−
Recovering a craft after it landed on Kerbin also yields science points by itself. Its value depends on how far the craft flew. Recovering a craft after a suborbital flight returns less valuable (but different) results than one which orbited the [[Mun]], for example.  The returned value appears to be 5 * (surfaces visited + bodies orbited).
+
To receive science closer to the maximum science value in one trip, it is possible to have multiple command modules on a craft which can separate when landed so "multiple craft" can be recovered. Decouplers or separators can be used for this, when using light probe cores ejection force should be reduced as to avoid high velocity [[Aerobraking#Lithobraking|lithobraking]].
  
 
== Celestial body multipliers ==
 
== Celestial body multipliers ==
 +
Each celestial body has different multipliers applied to the collected scientific data, based upon where it is taken in relation to that body. Biomes do not affect these multipliers.
 +
 +
The altitudes given in this table determine the altitude above mean sea level of the boundary between lower and upper atmosphere and between near and outer space. The upper atmosphere extends to the atmospheric height and the outer space extends up to the end of the sphere of influence.
  
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
|- <!-- sort doesn't work with rowspan -->
 
|- <!-- sort doesn't work with rowspan -->
 
!  
 
!  
−
! Surface
+
! colspan="2" | Surface
−
! colspan="2" | Atmosphere <ref group="note">Suborbital flight necessary for atmosphere readings, having the [[periapsis]] inside the atmosphere start is not sufficient.</ref>
+
! colspan="4" | Atmosphere
−
! colspan="2" | Space
+
! colspan="3" | Space
 +
!
 +
! colspan="2" | Total
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Celestial body
 
! Celestial body
−
! Multiplier
+
! Landed
−
! Multiplier
+
! Splashed
 +
! Low
 +
! High
 +
! Border
 +
! Limit
 +
! Low
 +
! High
 
! Border
 
! Border
−
! Multiplier
+
! Recovery
−
! Border <ref group="note">Many of these altitudes are taken from users [[thread:53567|reporting on the forum]] and not from game data itself.</ref>
+
! Total Science
−
{{:Science/Row|Kerbol|sb=1&nbsp;Gm}}
+
! Total Data
−
{{:Science/Row|Moho|sb=80&nbsp;km}}
+
{{:Science/Row|Kerbol}}
 +
{{:Science/Row|Moho}}
 
{{:Science/Row|Eve}}
 
{{:Science/Row|Eve}}
−
{{:Science/Row|Gilly|sb=6&nbsp;km}}
+
{{:Science/Row|Gilly}}
−
{{:Science/Row|Kerbin|<sup>[''[[Talk:Science#Celestial_Body_Multipliers|dubious]]'']</sup>}}
+
{{:Science/Row|Kerbin}}
−
{{:Science/Row|Mun|sb=60&nbsp;km}}
+
{{:Science/Row|Mun}}
−
{{:Science/Row|Minmus|sb=30&nbsp;km}}
+
{{:Science/Row|Minmus}}
−
{{:Science/Row|Duna|<sup>[''[[Talk:Science#Celestial_Body_Multipliers|dubious]]'']</sup>}}
+
{{:Science/Row|Duna}}
−
{{:Science/Row|Ike|6=50&nbsp;km}}
+
{{:Science/Row|Ike}}
−
{{:Science/Row|Dres|6=25&nbsp;km}}
+
{{:Science/Row|Dres}}
 
{{:Science/Row|Jool}}
 
{{:Science/Row|Jool}}
 
{{:Science/Row|Laythe}}
 
{{:Science/Row|Laythe}}
−
{{:Science/Row|Vall|6=90&nbsp;km}}
+
{{:Science/Row|Vall}}
−
{{:Science/Row|Tylo|6=250&nbsp;km}}
+
{{:Science/Row|Tylo}}
−
{{:Science/Row|Bop|<sup>[''[[Talk:Science#Celestial_Body_Multipliers|dubious]]'']</sup>|sb=25&nbsp;km}}
+
{{:Science/Row|Bop}}
−
{{:Science/Row|Pol|<sup>[''[[Talk:Science#Celestial_Body_Multipliers|dubious]]'']</sup>|sb=22&nbsp;km}}
+
{{:Science/Row|Pol}}
−
{{:Science/Row|Eeloo|<sup>[''[[Talk:Science#Celestial_Body_Multipliers|dubious]]'']</sup>|sb=60&nbsp;km}}
+
{{:Science/Row|Eeloo}}
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
== Contracts ==
 +
 
 +
As of [[0.24]], players can access various [[contracts]] at [[Mission Control]] while playing in [[career mode]]. The rewards for accomplishing contracts vary and can include a significant amount of Science.
 +
 
 +
== Acquisition Strategies ==
 +
 
 +
The most efficient way to gather all science on a planet or moon from orbit is to enter a polar orbit at or near 90 degrees inclination, set the periapsis to the lowest point that will not impact the surface or the atmosphere and adjust the semi-major axis to twice the sum of the radius of the orbited body and the margin between high and low orbit.  This will cause the craft to be at various times both high and low over every biome on the body, eventually gathering all science that can be gathered from orbit.  For example, with the Mun this means a polar orbit of 90 degrees, with a periapsis of 20 Km and an apoapsis of 620 Km.  Both the periapsis and apoapsis should be exactly at the equator for best results.
 +
 
 +
== Administrative Strategies ==
 +
 
 +
The various [[strategies]] that can be implemented at the [[Administration Facility]] while playing in [[career mode]] also have a significant effect on science income. Each strategy is based on trading one "resource" ([[reputation]], [[funds]], or science) for another as each is earned. Thus, at the cost of reputation or funds, the player can boost their science income. Conversely, the player can spend science to boost one of the other two resources. For example, the strategy "Outsourced R&D" yields science at the cost of funds, while "Open-Source Tech Program" will take a fraction of the player's science every time it is earned and convert it to reputation. Anywhere from 5% to 100% of the income from any of the resources can be converted into one of the others.
 +
 
 +
== Science Archives ==
 +
 
 +
[[File:Science archive.jpg|thumb|right|The Science Archive]]
 +
A filterable list of the experiments which have been performed so far can be accessed through the “Science Archive” tab in the Research and Development window.
 +
 
 +
The entries show what data have been brought back and whether more data from repeating activities can be gathered. If the bar below an experiment is not completely full, as shown in some of the examples on the right, the experiment can be repeated to gain additional science. This is also useful to see what biomes and situations haven't been covered yet and provide the richest opportunities.
 +
 
 +
== Breaking ground science experiments ==
 +
{{Expansion|bg|small=no}}
 +
The Breaking ground expansion bring two new types of science experiments: a standard ground experiment and deployable science modules. Both types are global per celestial body, depend on the body science multiplier and can only be done landed.
 +
 
 +
=== Robotic arm scan ===
 +
There are 3 types of [[OP-E_Large_Scanning_Arm|robotic arms]] which collect respectively 1/3, 2/3 and the whole experiment. The arm must be close to a [[Surface_features|surface feature]] in order to work. After that, the result can either be transmitted or grabed by a kerbal on EVA like any other experiment. It is better advised to use a rover with the robotic arm because proximity with a surface feature is important and cannot be corrected with a static landed ship.
 +
 
 +
2 to 3 tiers of surface features are available on each body. The first tier can also be picked up by a kerbal as stones for example.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Experiment
 +
! Tier 1
 +
! Tier 2
 +
! Tier 3
 +
|-
 +
!Data size
 +
|30 Mits
 +
|45 Mits
 +
|60 Mits
 +
|-
 +
!Base value
 +
|30
 +
|45
 +
|60
 +
|-
 +
!Maximum value
 +
|30
 +
|45
 +
|60
 +
|-
 +
!Data scale
 +
|1
 +
|1
 +
|1
 +
|-
 +
!Transmission efficiency
 +
|100%
 +
|100%
 +
|100%
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
=== Deployable science ===
 +
Deployable science modules are a completely new type of science experiments consisting in letting modules on a foreign body and receiving science points every hour without any kerbal or probe intervention.
 +
 
 +
A deployable science module must be set with other modules
 +
* A deployable power source such as a deployable [[OX-Stat-PD_Photovoltaic_Panel|solar panel]] or [[Mini-NUK-PD_Radioisotope_Thermoelectric_Generator|RTG generator]]
 +
* A [[Probodobodyne_Experiment_Control_Station|powered command unit]]
 +
* (optional) a [[Communotron_Ground_HG-48|deployable powered 10G antenna]], or any probe with a relay capable antenna
 +
 
 +
All science modules must be set by a scientist for faster science points collection.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
!Experiment
 +
![[Grand_Slam_Passive_Seismometer|Grand Slam Passive Seismometer]]
 +
![[Go-ob_ED_Monitor|Go-ob ED Monitor]]
 +
![[Ionographer_PD-22|Ionographer PD-22]]
 +
![[PD-3_Weather_Analyzer|PD-3 Weather Analyzer]]
 +
|-
 +
!Environment
 +
|Everywhere
 +
|Everywhere
 +
|Vacuum
 +
|Atmospheric
 +
|-
 +
!Base multiplier
 +
|1
 +
|0.28125
 +
|0.3125
 +
|0.3
 +
|-
 +
!Maximum value
 +
|80
 +
|45
 +
|100
 +
|60
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
The base multiplier is used to calculate the science per hour (or ratio for the seismometer). The formula is: base multiplier · kerbal level multiplier · body surface science multiplier
 +
 
 +
The table for the kerbal multiplier value is the following:
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
!Level
 +
!Value
 +
|-
 +
|Not scientist
 +
|0.05
 +
|-
 +
|Level 0
 +
|0.25
 +
|-
 +
|Level 1
 +
|0.35
 +
|-
 +
|Level 2
 +
|0.45
 +
|-
 +
|Level 3
 +
|0.60
 +
|-
 +
|Level 4
 +
|0.80
 +
|-
 +
|Level 5
 +
|1.00
 
|}
 
|}
−
<references group="note" />
 
  
−
Each celestial body has different multipliers applied to the collected scientific data, based upon where it is taken in relation to that body. Biomes do not affect these multipliers.  
+
For example a level 3 scientist deploying an ionographer experiment on Mun gives 0.3125 · 0.60 · 4 = 0.75 science points per hour
  
−
The altitudes given in this table determine the altitude above mean sea level of the boundary between lower and upper atmosphere and between near and outer space. The upper atmosphere extends to the atmospheric height and the outer space extends up to the end of the sphere of influence.
+
[[Category:Career-specific features]]
 +
[[Category:Science| ]]

Latest revision as of 21:17, 16 January 2024

For the game mode, see science mode.
For the parts, see parts#Science.
An image of the GUI after doing an EVA report

Science is a gameplay feature used to unlock parts in the technology tree when playing in the Career or Science modes by spending science points, which are mainly obtained by performing various scientific activities in different situations and biomes. Science may also be obtained upon successful completion of certain contracts, or gained through the implementation of administrative strategies. Science must either be recovered or transmitted in order to be used on Kerbin to unlock additional technologies. While transmission is generally not for 100% value, experiments may be repeated and retransmitted, often gaining more science value than the transmit window shows. Experiments can be removed from the parts they were performed in and are stored with a Kerbal on EVA. Additionally, science experiments can be stored in and retrieved from any part that Kerbals can ride in, although only one copy of an experiment for any specific situation (e.g. EVA report flying over Kerbin's shores) can be stored per command pod. Science and all related instruments and buildings are made inoperative while in Sandbox mode due to its triviality—all parts are available from the start of a Sandbox game.

In addition to the facts collected on this page, you can follow this beginner-friendly Science tutorial.

Situations

Situations reflect the flight status of the craft or kerbonaut relative to a celestial body. There are six possible situations, some of which may be irrelevant to a given science activity or unavailable on a given celestial body.

  • SrfLanded: in contact with the terrestrial surface
  • SrfSplashed: in a liquid body on the surface (such as oceans)
  • Flying Low: above the surface at any height, if and only if an atmosphere is present
  • Flying High: in the upper atmosphere, if and only if an atmosphere is present
  • In Space Low: above the surface at any height and not in an atmosphere
  • In Space High: high above the surface and any atmosphere but still in its SOI
A scientific lander on Duna

An atmosphere is required for the situations "Flying Low" and "Flying High" and for usage of the Atmospheric Fluid Spectro-Variometer. As of KSP version 1.0.2, the PresMat Barometer can be used without an atmosphere. If soaring through an upper or lower atmosphere on a trajectory to an escape from the planet or moon's sphere of influence, the situation is assigned as "In Space Low" regardless of the presence of the atmosphere. The situation will only change to "Flying High" or "Flying Low" if/when the aerodynamic forces cause an orbit to be captured during the encounter.

Biomes

Biomes are areas of a body's surface specially mapped in KSP game data. Each additional biome grants a separate set of opportunities to do Science Activities, provided the Activity is biome-dependent in the given Situation. Each planet with solid surface and each moon has biomes, because of this several biomes have to be visited with landers or rovers for total research of the given celestial body.

Activities

This is an overview of all science activities which can be performed and how results differ by biome and situation. Activities performed within one sphere of influence(SOI) have no effect on the Science Points that can be earned doing science activities within the SOI of any other celestial body.

Possible combinations of Activity, Situation, and Biome

The top row of the chart names each Activity; the left hand column shows the six possible Situations.

Each intersection shows whether the Activity is possible for a given Situation and, if so, whether it differs by Biome or gives one Global result for the entire celestial body.

Activities and situations requiring an atmosphere are italicized and colored. Surface: Splashed currently can only be accomplished on Kerbin, Eve, and Laythe.

Kerbonaut Capsule Modules
Surface Sample EVA Report EVA Experiments Asteroid Sample Comet Sample Crew Report Mystery Goo Observation Materials Study Temperature Scan Atmospheric Pressure Scan Gravity Scan Seismic Scan Atmosphere Analysis Infrared Telescope Magnetometer Boom
Surface: Landed Biome Biome Global Biome Biome Biome Biome Biome Biome Biome Biome Biome Biome — —
Surface: Splashed Biome Biome — Biome Biome Biome Biome Biome Biome Biome Biome — — — —
Flying Low — Biome — Biome Biome Biome Global Global Biome Global — — Biome — —
Flying High — Global — Global Global Global Global Global Global Global — — Biome — —
In Space Low — Biome Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Biome — — — Global
In Space High — Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Global Biome — — Global Global

Crew

The following Activities are performed by Kerbals during an EVA or from within a crewed command module.

Surface Sample

Requires One kerbonaut
Data size 30 Mits
Base value 30
Maximum value 40
Data scale 1
Transmission efficiency 25%
Processing energy 300 ⚡

Surface Samples can be taken by kerbonauts when performing an EVA on the ground (or from on top of a landed or splashed craft) or in water of a celestial body. The results vary by biome and situation (landed or splashed) just as with craft. However, there is one detail to note: a Kerbal swimming in the water is splashed, but a Kerbal standing on top of a splashed craft is landed. So two different surface samples can be collected from any floating craft.

In Career mode, Surface Samples cannot be taken without having the Research and Development Facility and Astronaut Complex upgraded to second level.

EVA Report

Requires One kerbonaut
Data size 8 Mits
Base value 8
Maximum value 8
Data scale 1
Transmission efficiency 100%
Processing energy 80 ⚡

EVA Reports are performed by kerbonauts on an EVA. The results vary by biome and situation (landed, splashed, or "flying"). There is one detail to note: a Kerbal swimming in the water is splashed, but a Kerbal standing on top of a splashed craft is landed — up to three different EVA reports can be collected from any floating craft. The easiest ways to take a Flying Low report are to jump from the surface or hang onto a ladder.

Only one EVA Report per biome/situation combination is necessary. A kerbonaut can only take and hold one EVA Report at a time without storing it in a Command Pod, though reports retrieved from a Command Pod have no limitations on how many of a type can be carried.

EVA Experiments

Requires One kerbonaut
Data size 25 Mits
Base value 25
Maximum value 25
Data scale 1
Transmission efficiency 100%
Processing energy 250 ⚡

EVA Experiments are performed by kerbonauts on an EVA, using the EVA Experiments Kit. The kerbonaut may not hold on to a ladder when doing the experiment. This type of science was added in version 1.11.

Asteroid Sample

Requires
Data size 60 Mits
Base value 60
Maximum value 70
Data scale 1
Transmission efficiency 30%
Processing energy 600 ⚡

Asteroid Samples can be taken by kerbonauts when performing an EVA close to an asteroid. The samples give various results depending on the altitude of the orbiting planet.

Comet Sample

Requires
Period Short Intermediate Long Interstellar
Data size 90 Mits 135 Mits 270 Mits 900 Mits
Base value 90 135 270 900
Maximum value 100 150 300 1000
Data scale 1 1 1 1
Transmission efficiency 60% 60% 60% 60%
Processing energy 900 ⚡ 1350 ⚡ 2700 ⚡ 9000 ⚡

Comet Samples can be taken by kerbonauts when performing an EVA close to a comet. The samples give various results depending on the altitude of orbit and situation. The science produced depends on the period of the comet.

Crew Report

Requires A manned command pod
Data size 5 Mits
Base value 5
Maximum value 5
Data scale 1
Transmission efficiency 100%
Processing energy 50 ⚡

Crew Reports can be created in any manned command pod. Reports uniquely differ between celestial body and situation. Because the transmission efficiency is 100%, repeating them or transmitting them multiple times yields no additional Science.

If a command pod has taken a Crew Report but not transmitted it, it cannot take a new report even when in a new situation, biome, or sphere of influence. This limitation can be circumvented by having a kerbonaut on EVA "take data" from the command pod. Even if they store the data in the same command pod it was taken from, the Crew Report will be treated as just another piece of data to store. A second Crew Report can be taken even in exactly the same spot; no additional points are yielded by duplicate Crew Reports though.

Modules

Experiments done by separate parts like the Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit behave similarly to Crew Reports. They may be performed in different flight phases and on different celestial bodies returning different results. Each module can only store one result at a time, but a result can be sent home with an antenna to allow the experiment to be performed again under the same or under new conditions. Data can also be extracted from the module by a kerbonaut during an EVA. There is a penalty for transmitting data home instead of recovering the module to Kerbin.

Since version 0.23, transmitting or collecting data renders the Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit and SC-9001 Science Jr. disabled for the remainder of a flight. If the craft has (or can be docked with) a fully crewed lab, it can reset those modules at a cost of time and electric charge. Since version 1.0, these modules can also be reset by a scientist on EVA, allowing a craft with a scientist on board to collect multiple results (from different situations and biomes) on a single mission, without needing a full lab as part of the craft. The results collected and stored during a mission can be transferred to a lab at the end of the mission (or taken back to Kerbin).

Table of science modules

Experiment Mystery Goo Observation Temperature Scan Atmospheric Pressure Scan Materials Study Seismic Scan Atmosphere Analysis Infrared Telescope Magnetometer Report Gravity Scan
Required part (tech tree lvl) Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit (1) 2HOT Thermometer (2) PresMat Barometer (3) SC-9001 Science Jr. (4) Double-C Seismic Accelerometer (7) Atmospheric Fluid Spectro-Variometer (7) SENTINEL Infrared Telescope (7) Magnetometer Boom (7) GRAVMAX Negative Gravioli Detector (8)
Data size 10 Mits 8 Mits 12 Mits 25 Mits 50 Mits 200 Mits 30 Mits 45 Mits 60 Mits
Base value 10 8 12 25 20 20 15 45 20
Maximum value 13 8 12 32 22 24 22 45 22
Data scale 1 1 1 1 2.5 10 2 1 3
Transmission efficiency 30% 50% 50% 35% 45% 60% 40% 60% 40%
Processing energy (⚡) 100 80 120 250 500 2000 300 450 600

The transmission efficiency caps the maximum returnable science with the experiment via antennae. To gather all scientific value experiments needs to be recovered. With the release of 1.0, transmission efficiency drops radically on experiments that have already been performed and transmitted. If an experiment is recovered, transmission efficiency for that experiment drops to zero (situation and biome specific).

Recovering the maximum value of an experiment

Experiments that have a maximum value different from the minimum value will only give a certain percentage of its remaining value, this percentage can be calculated using the formula: Minimum value/ Maximum value. Consequently, these experiments can be repeated to get more fractions of the remaining points. An effective way to do this is by recovering multiple copies of an experiment. This can easily be accomplished by storing the experiments inside multiple Experiment Storage Units and then recovering it.

Repeated experiment value
Experiment Mystery Goo Observation Temperature Scan Atmospheric Pressure Scan Materials Study Seismic Scan Atmosphere Analysis Infrared Telescope Magnetometer Report Gravity Scan
Percentage 1 → 77%
2 → 95%
3 → 99%
4 → 100% 		1 → 100% 1 → 100% 1 → 78%
2 → 95%
3 → 99%
4 → 100% 		1 → 91%
2 → 99% 		1 → 83%
2 → 97%
3 → 100% 		1 → 68%
2 → 90%
3 → 97%
4 → 99% 		1 → 100% 1 → 91%
2 → 99%

You will need at most 4 copies (experiments with higher percentages need less) of an experiment to get close enough to 100% for it to be noticeable in the Archives section.

Take Mystery Goo for example. With base value of 10 and maximum value of 13, each consecutive experiment will yield 10/13 ≈ 77% of the remaining value. That results in the following numbers - assuming a location multiplier of 1×, such as LKO.

Repetition Experiment value Cumulative value
#1 76.92% 10.0⚛
#2 17.75% 2.3⚛ 94.67% 12.3⚛
#3 4.10% 0.5⚛ 98.77% 12.8⚛
#4 0.95% 0.1⚛ 99.72% 13.0⚛

Note: in the Archives section it is shown how many science points have been obtained from an experiment - right-most column, labelled "Science" - with two decimal digits (0.01) precision. In order to max out this value, the worst case is the Infrared Telescope in Low Orbit around Eeloo: you will need 10 copies of the experiment!

Craft recovery

Celestial Body Flyby Orbital Flight Suborbital Flight Atmospheric Flight Surface Landed
Kerbin Base Value N/A 10 8 5 N/A
Max Value N/A 12 9.6 6 N/A
Other Base Value 6 8 10 12 15
Max Value 7.2 9.6 12 14.4 18
The Base- and Max Value of celestial bodies other than Kerbin have to be multiplied by their body-specific recovery multiplier listed below.

Recovering any craft with a command module after flight will yield science points based on the most scientifically valuable phase (based on Max Value*Celestial body multiplier) of the journey. As seen in the table the value of each phase increases the closer a spacecraft has been to orbit. The opposite is true for other celestial bodies. In order to earn recovery science from atmospheric flight, the craft cannot reach a suborbital trajectory, as this would become marked as the most valuable phase of the flight. This is even the case when many suborbital flights have been performed before it, and science returns would be effectively higher from a craft that only experienced flight. The different phases are defined as follows:

  • Flyby: Only the periapsis is within the SOI.
  • Orbit: The periapsis and apoapsis are within the SOI and the orbit does not intersect the surface.
  • Suborbit: The ship is above and the periapsis is inside the atmosphere or the surface.
  • Flight: The body is within the atmosphere.
  • Landed: The craft is touching the surface of the body.
  • Splashed down: The ship is touching water without touching the ground. It cannot touch the ground because, for example, it is possible to be Landed on Kerbin's water if you get a ship to sink to the ocean floor.


To receive science closer to the maximum science value in one trip, it is possible to have multiple command modules on a craft which can separate when landed so "multiple craft" can be recovered. Decouplers or separators can be used for this, when using light probe cores ejection force should be reduced as to avoid high velocity lithobraking.

Celestial body multipliers

Each celestial body has different multipliers applied to the collected scientific data, based upon where it is taken in relation to that body. Biomes do not affect these multipliers.

The altitudes given in this table determine the altitude above mean sea level of the boundary between lower and upper atmosphere and between near and outer space. The upper atmosphere extends to the atmospheric height and the outer space extends up to the end of the sphere of influence.

Surface Atmosphere Space Total
Celestial body Landed Splashed Low High Border Limit Low High Border Recovery Total Science Total Data
Kerbol N/A N/A 1× 1× 18 km 600 km 11× 2× 1000 Mm 4×
Moho 10× N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 8× 7× 80 km 7×
Eve 8× 8× 6× 6× 22 km 90 km 7× 5× 400 km 5×
Gilly 9× N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 8× 6× 6 km 6×
Kerbin 0.3× 0.4× 0.7× 0.9× 18 km 70 km 1× 1.5× 250 km 1×
Mun 4× N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3× 2× 60 km 2×
Minmus 5× N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 4× 2.5× 30 km 2.5×
Duna 8× N/A 5× 5× 12 km 50 km 7× 5× 140 km 5×
Ike 8× N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 7× 5× 50 km 5×
Dres 8× N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 7× 6× 25 km 6×
Jool N/A N/A 12× 9× 120 km 200 km 7× 6× 4 Mm 6×
Laythe 14× 12× 11× 10× 10 km 50 km 9× 8× 200 km 8×
Vall 12× N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 9× 8× 90 km 8×
Tylo 12× N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 10× 8× 250 km 8×
Bop 12× N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 9× 8× 25 km 8×
Pol 12× N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 9× 8× 22 km 8×
Eeloo 15× N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 12× 10× 60 km 10×

Contracts

As of 0.24, players can access various contracts at Mission Control while playing in career mode. The rewards for accomplishing contracts vary and can include a significant amount of Science.

Acquisition Strategies

The most efficient way to gather all science on a planet or moon from orbit is to enter a polar orbit at or near 90 degrees inclination, set the periapsis to the lowest point that will not impact the surface or the atmosphere and adjust the semi-major axis to twice the sum of the radius of the orbited body and the margin between high and low orbit. This will cause the craft to be at various times both high and low over every biome on the body, eventually gathering all science that can be gathered from orbit. For example, with the Mun this means a polar orbit of 90 degrees, with a periapsis of 20 Km and an apoapsis of 620 Km. Both the periapsis and apoapsis should be exactly at the equator for best results.

Administrative Strategies

The various strategies that can be implemented at the Administration Facility while playing in career mode also have a significant effect on science income. Each strategy is based on trading one "resource" (reputation, funds, or science) for another as each is earned. Thus, at the cost of reputation or funds, the player can boost their science income. Conversely, the player can spend science to boost one of the other two resources. For example, the strategy "Outsourced R&D" yields science at the cost of funds, while "Open-Source Tech Program" will take a fraction of the player's science every time it is earned and convert it to reputation. Anywhere from 5% to 100% of the income from any of the resources can be converted into one of the others.

Science Archives

The Science Archive

A filterable list of the experiments which have been performed so far can be accessed through the “Science Archive” tab in the Research and Development window.

The entries show what data have been brought back and whether more data from repeating activities can be gathered. If the bar below an experiment is not completely full, as shown in some of the examples on the right, the experiment can be repeated to gain additional science. This is also useful to see what biomes and situations haven't been covered yet and provide the richest opportunities.

Breaking ground science experiments

The Breaking ground expansion bring two new types of science experiments: a standard ground experiment and deployable science modules. Both types are global per celestial body, depend on the body science multiplier and can only be done landed.

Robotic arm scan

There are 3 types of robotic arms which collect respectively 1/3, 2/3 and the whole experiment. The arm must be close to a surface feature in order to work. After that, the result can either be transmitted or grabed by a kerbal on EVA like any other experiment. It is better advised to use a rover with the robotic arm because proximity with a surface feature is important and cannot be corrected with a static landed ship.

2 to 3 tiers of surface features are available on each body. The first tier can also be picked up by a kerbal as stones for example.

Experiment Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3
Data size 30 Mits 45 Mits 60 Mits
Base value 30 45 60
Maximum value 30 45 60
Data scale 1 1 1
Transmission efficiency 100% 100% 100%

Deployable science

Deployable science modules are a completely new type of science experiments consisting in letting modules on a foreign body and receiving science points every hour without any kerbal or probe intervention.

A deployable science module must be set with other modules

All science modules must be set by a scientist for faster science points collection.

Experiment Grand Slam Passive Seismometer Go-ob ED Monitor Ionographer PD-22 PD-3 Weather Analyzer
Environment Everywhere Everywhere Vacuum Atmospheric
Base multiplier 1 0.28125 0.3125 0.3
Maximum value 80 45 100 60

The base multiplier is used to calculate the science per hour (or ratio for the seismometer). The formula is: base multiplier · kerbal level multiplier · body surface science multiplier

The table for the kerbal multiplier value is the following:

Level Value
Not scientist 0.05
Level 0 0.25
Level 1 0.35
Level 2 0.45
Level 3 0.60
Level 4 0.80
Level 5 1.00

For example a level 3 scientist deploying an ionographer experiment on Mun gives 0.3125 · 0.60 · 4 = 0.75 science points per hour

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