Contract

Mission Control with the first contract opened

A contract is a request by a manufacturer to test their hardware under specific conditions. Contracts were added in version 0.24 for career mode. The first contracts are predefined but they transition to randomly created contracts. They are then based on templates where only the specific properties need to be set.

Accepting a contract is optional but there will be rewards if the contract was successfully finished and penalties for failures. Contracts will reward science, in game currency and reputation if successful. Failing a mission will cause loss of in game currency. Multiple contracts can be activated at the same time but some have deadlines. Multiple contracts can be completed by the same craft. Their difficulty ranges from trivial tasks to exceptionally difficult missions.

Types of contracts

As of version 0.24^[outdated], there are five types of contracts.

Part testing

Part testing involves building a craft with a certain part and testing under a set of test conditions. Different contracts may specify different conditions under which the part must be tested, for example, it may need to be tested when the craft has landed, or is in the water, or when the craft is at a certain altitude and speed. If the player has not unlocked the required part, it will be available in the VAB until the contract is completed or has been failed.

For most part tests, the stage with the part has to be activated when the exact conditions are met. However, in some cases the test has to be run by right-clicking on the part and choosing "run test".

Rescue

A kerbonaut spawned stranded in orbit by a contract

Rescue contracts generate a specific situation, like a stranded kerbonaut, which will be generated as soon as the contract is accepted. Objects spawned by rescue contracts can't be controlled until a craft is within 2.5 km of the object by pressing the key (default [) to switch between nearby craft.

Data collection

Data collection contracts require that the player gain some data from a specific location. For example, the player may need to transmit or return data from Kerbin orbit. It doesn't matter if the data no longer has scientific value. These contracts usually reward quite a large sum of cash, but a negligible science reward. Stationing a satellite equipped with a repeatable experiment like a 2HOT Thermometer and an antenna in orbit is a great way to fulfill these contracts several times making them a quick and easy source of cash.

Exploration

Exploration contracts require that the player go to the SOI of a planet or moon, then land on its surface and transmit or return the data from the mission.

Flag planting

Flag planting contracts require a kerbonaut to plant a flag on a moon or planet. Although the flavor text of these contracts mentions that the client would like to see their flag on the surface, it doesn't matter which insignia the player picks for the mission.