Difference between revisions of "Career"

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The '''career''' mode, available since {{Version|0.22}} is the next mode after the [[sandbox]] mode and is still in development. Currently it makes heavy use of the new [[Research and Development]] facility (R&D) which features the [[technology tree]] and uses [[Science]].
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The '''career''' mode, available since {{Version|0.22}}, is still in development and provides an alternative to [[Sandbox]] mode. The heart of Career mode is performing [[Science#Science_activities|science activities]].
 +
 
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
In Career Mode, the player can build vessels with only the parts unlocked thus far in the [[technology tree]]. Every game starts with the [[Start]] node unlocked already. All buildings are unlocked from the beginning, although the [[Spaceplane Hangar]] is not very important first. Basically no parts are available for [[spaceplane]] until unlocking tier four node [[Flight Control]] to get the first cockpit.
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The key differences with Sandbox mode are that the new [[Research and Development]] facility is open with science activities yielding Science points and descriptive "flavor text", but the player can build vessels with only parts from the nodes they've unlocked thus far in the technology tree. Career mode progresses by performing activities yielding Science points to "research" and unlock currently locked nodes.
  
Unlike in [[Sandbox]], the [[Research and Development]] facility is open and [[Science#Science_activities|Science activities]] can be performed, giving results with descriptive "flavor text". Activities also yielding Science points to "research" and unlock currently locked nodes of the technology tree.
 
  
While for the first nodes a quick exploration of the nearby terrain suffice, later nodes require to visit other bodies. Especially Kerbin's moons [[Mun]] and [[Minmus]] are the primary target for the middle game as they can be reached quickly and easily. Both also feature [[biome]]s which greatly improve the scientific results.
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Every game starts with the [[Start]] node unlocked already. All buildings are available (R&D is closed in Sandbox), although the [[Spaceplane Hangar]] may not be very important until unlocking tier four node [[Flight Control]] to get the first cockpit or at least [[Stability]] in tier three for the first winglet.
  
 
=== First missions ===
 
=== First missions ===
Usually one of the first missions is simply “launching” the [[Command Pod Mk1]] on the [[launch pad]]. This is similar to the earliest Apollo missions, though one was the infamous [[w:Apollo 1|Apollo 1 fire]]. More sophisticated designs can be done to take advantage of the fact that the [[Kerbal Space Center]] already contains of three different biomes.
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Usually one of the first missions is simply “launching” the [[Command Pod Mk1]] on the [[launch pad]]. This is similar to the earliest Apollo missions, though one was the infamous [[w:Apollo 1|Apollo 1 fire]].
 
 
Depending on the amount of work and testing put into the first rockets they could basically go anywhere, especially with techniques like [[explosive decoupling]]. But usually the first rockets will barely, if even, exit the atmosphere. But landing in a different biome rises the amount of science gained. But because [[Crew Report|Crew]] and [[EVA Report]] only return science the first time performed, visiting the same biome multiple times without having new scientific instruments on board isn't helpful. [[Surface Sample]]s can be repeated six times, but each time which diminishing results making it not worthwhile to land on the same biome only to improve that.
 
 
 
=== Scientific instruments ===
 
To accelerate the amount of science returned, one should try to develop first the instruments. With those it is possible to gain even more science to compensate for the fact that technology tree nodes become increasingly expensive.
 
 
 
== Tutorials ==
 
{{Move|Tutorial:Start a career game|This section is more like a tutorial (how to do something) than a explanation how career mode works. I rarely only launch a command pod in the early game for example.}}
 
 
 
===First Mission===
 
To quickly advance beyond the Start node in the tech tree, a purely ground-based mission can be done by "launching" a capsule without an engine from the [[Launch pad]]. This is similar to the earliest Apollo missions, though one was the infamous [[w:Apollo 1|Apollo 1 fire]].
 
 
 
Three [[Science#Science_activities|science activities]] can be done at this tech level:
 
* [[Crew Report]]
 
* [[EVA Report]]
 
* [[Surface Sample]]
 
Crew Reports and EVA Reports earn Science only the first time performed in a given situation and biome. Surface Samples can be repeated for fewer points each time, reaching <tt>0.0</tt> after at six times.
 
 
 
====Poly-Six Pod====
 
The highest netting engine-less first mission involves stacking six (five gives nearly the same payout) [[Command Pod Mk1]]s in the [[Vehicle Assembly Building]], turning the stack sideways with the {{key_press|A}} or {{key_press|D}} key, and rolling north off the LaunchPad across the [[Kerbal Space Center]] grounds to the [[Runway]].
 
 
 
Start by taking and storing one Crew Report from the LaunchPad. Exit the pod to take the "EVA Report from LaunchPad", then take a Surface Sample, right click on a Command Pod to store data, then repeat with just the Surface Sample for each of the other pods. You'll repeat this procedure after rolling off the LaunchPad onto KSC and rolling up onto the Runway. It's possible to get a "Crew Report while flying over Kerbin's Shores" while in mid-air just after rolling off the north side of the LaunchPad.
 
  
Hanging on to a Command Pod for an EVA Report counts as "flying over Kerbin's Shores". However, in certain rare, poorly understood glitches (possibly related to split second timing while jumping on top of a ship), it is possible to get "flying over Kerbin's" EVA Reports for the LaunchPad, KSC, and the Runway.
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For unlocking the first nodes, a quick exploration of the nearby terrain suffices. Even with Start technology players can easily take advantage of the fact that the [[Kerbal Space Center]] contains three special surface-only [[biome]]s to quickly boost into the tech tree. Regular biomes outside KSC include opportunities for science while your vessel is flying or even orbiting, when you get there.
  
Once on the KSC grounds, if your kerbonaut manages to be in ragdoll mode (not standing up) while on the ground, you can take an EVA Report and Surface Samples from the Shores biome. Repeat the Surface Samples four more times.
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Your first rockets could basically go anywhere in the vicinity of Kerbin, especially with techniques like [[explosive decoupling]]. But usually the first rockets will barely, if even, exit the atmosphere. However, landing in a different biome increases opportunities for science by providing the chance to repeat science activities in new [[Science#Situations|situations]].
  
The total net for this is 93 Science Points, oddly rounded down to 92. This is enough to buy [[Basic Rocketry]], [[Survivability]], [[Science Tech]], plus either [[General Rocketry]] or [[Stability]].
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There are three science activities that can be done from the start:
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* [[Crew Report]]s
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* [[EVA Report]]s
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* [[Surface Sample]]s
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[[Crew Report|Crew]] and [[EVA Report]]s only return science the first time performed in a [[Science#Situations|situation]], so visiting the same biome multiple times without having new scientific instruments on board isn't productive. [[Surface Sample]]s can still be repeated up to six times, but each time which diminishing results, making it more rewarding to land in unvisited biomes.
  
====Rocket Surgery to Minmus====
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=== Middle game ===
Alternatively, one can use a more elaborate form of [[Decoupler#Explosive_decoupling|explosive decoupling]] that KSP YouTuber Scott Manley dubs "rocket surgery" with solid rocket boosters to do a mission all the way to [[Minmus]], as seen in his video "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNXTFj3ozNY Kerbal Space Program - 0.22! Lets Do Science! Lots Of Science]". The mission depicted netted 351.5 Science.
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Later nodes will be difficult at best without visiting other [[celestial bodies]]. Kerbin's moons [[Mun]] and [[Minmus]] are especially primary targets for the middle game as they can be reached quickly and easily. Both also feature [[biome]]s, greatly increasing the amount of science that can be done.
  
It's possible this tech could also reach [[Duna]].
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=== Science modules ===
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To accelerate the amount of science returned, it's wise to unlock nodes offering new science modules. With these it is possible to gain even more science to compensate for the fact that technology tree nodes become increasingly expensive.
  
 
== Possible future features ==
 
== Possible future features ==

Revision as of 17:01, 16 March 2014

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The career mode, available since version 0.22, is still in development and provides an alternative to Sandbox mode. The heart of Career mode is performing science activities.


Overview

The key differences with Sandbox mode are that the new Research and Development facility is open with science activities yielding Science points and descriptive "flavor text", but the player can build vessels with only parts from the nodes they've unlocked thus far in the technology tree. Career mode progresses by performing activities yielding Science points to "research" and unlock currently locked nodes.


Every game starts with the Start node unlocked already. All buildings are available (R&D is closed in Sandbox), although the Spaceplane Hangar may not be very important until unlocking tier four node Flight Control to get the first cockpit or at least Stability in tier three for the first winglet.

First missions

Usually one of the first missions is simply “launching” the Command Pod Mk1 on the launch pad. This is similar to the earliest Apollo missions, though one was the infamous Apollo 1 fire.

For unlocking the first nodes, a quick exploration of the nearby terrain suffices. Even with Start technology players can easily take advantage of the fact that the Kerbal Space Center contains three special surface-only biomes to quickly boost into the tech tree. Regular biomes outside KSC include opportunities for science while your vessel is flying or even orbiting, when you get there.

Your first rockets could basically go anywhere in the vicinity of Kerbin, especially with techniques like explosive decoupling. But usually the first rockets will barely, if even, exit the atmosphere. However, landing in a different biome increases opportunities for science by providing the chance to repeat science activities in new situations.

There are three science activities that can be done from the start:

Crew and EVA Reports only return science the first time performed in a situation, so visiting the same biome multiple times without having new scientific instruments on board isn't productive. Surface Samples can still be repeated up to six times, but each time which diminishing results, making it more rewarding to land in unvisited biomes.

Middle game

Later nodes will be difficult at best without visiting other celestial bodies. Kerbin's moons Mun and Minmus are especially primary targets for the middle game as they can be reached quickly and easily. Both also feature biomes, greatly increasing the amount of science that can be done.

Science modules

To accelerate the amount of science returned, it's wise to unlock nodes offering new science modules. With these it is possible to gain even more science to compensate for the fact that technology tree nodes become increasingly expensive.

Possible future features

The following sections are missing citations to prove their validity.

Money and Stock

  • The Career mode will add limited money, with parts costing the amount shown.
  • There will be a limited amount of parts in stock. It has been said that if the parts land safely, they can be reused.
  • It is planned that if a part of KSC is damaged, repairing it will cost money.

Discovery

During a development chat, one of the devs said that things have to be "discovered" with a telescope or probe to find out information about it. For example, if a craft were going to Jool, and looked in Map View, it would look like a giant green sphere unless a probe had already been send there with cameras and scientific instruments. Cameras will be added to the game in a further update.

With 0.23.10[outdated] asteroids need to be discovered and monitored to know their orbits.[1]

References

  1. “Asteroid Redirect Mission - The FAQ” by Rowsdower released on March 14th