Recovery

Recovery of the controlled craft or Kerbal

Recovery (while possible in all game modes) is useful in Career mode to regain funds (as of 0.24). It is only possible to recover craft landed or splashed on Kerbin. Depending on the distance from the recovery location to the Kerbal Space Center, a portion of the initial cost to buy the parts and resources is returned.

It is also the only way to return all Kerbals sitting in that craft back to the Astronaut Complex and to gain reputation by doing so.

A craft or Kerbal can be recovered both from the Tracking Station and from the top of the HUD when controlling. Other parts or Kerbals which are not a part of the craft (ie, detached or on EVA) upon pressing "recover vessel" will not be recovered with it, but may be recovered separately.