Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2
| Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2 | ||
 | ||
| Laboratory by Integrated Integrals | ||
| Radial size | Large | |
| Cost | (total) | 4 070.00 
|
| (dry) | 4 000.00
| |
| Mass | (total) | 3.598 t |
| (dry) | 3.410 t | |
| Drag | 0.3-0.2 | |
| Max. Temp. | 2200 K | |
| Impact Tolerance | 6 m/s | |
| Research |  Advanced Exploration
| |
| Unlock cost | 10 400
| |
| Since version | 0.23 | |
| Part configuration | largeCrewedLab.cfg | |
| Crew capacity | (max) | 2 
|
| Crew capacity | (maximum) | 2
|
| (required) | 1
| |
| Researching energy | 5 ⚡/s | |
| Processing energy | 10 ⚡/s | |
| Field of View | (min) | 17 ° |
| (max) | 63 ° | |
| Anomaly detection | 0 % | |
| Enhanceable | No | |
| Modes | Terrain | |
| Biome | ||
| Inventory Slots | 2 slots | |
| Volume limit | 200 l | |
The Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2 allows scientific data to be transmitted with higher efficiency and to reuse the Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit and SC-9001 Science Jr. after transmitting their result.
The module needs its full capacity of two Kerbals to work. Note that it is not a command module; any craft it's a part of will need a probe body or command pod to be piloted. It starts unmanned by default, but crewmembers can be added in the Crew tab before launch. Using the module also consumes electricity.
Contents
Purpose
Processing
The lab can "process" science from any attached science part including those on docked vessels. Science can also be moved around by Kerbals on EVA. Processing consumes electricity. Once processed, experiments will yield 50% more Science Points compared to unprocessed data: for example, if the standard Transmit Value for a given experiment is 30%, the Lab pushes this by 15 percentage points to 45%.
Storing
While the transmission boost is quite substantial, it still cannot replace the actual recovery of science results. However, the Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2 also helps solving the problem of getting numerous results back to Kerbin, as it can also store infinite amounts of scientific data -- even multiple copies from the same experiment in the same situation & biome. This won't happen automatically, though: some Kerbal has to make the rounds and collect the data from every instrument.
Cleaning
Once their science has been either taken or transmitted, the Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit and SC-9001 Science Jr. can be reset for reuse by "cleaning" them.
Actually using the Lab
Leaving the Lab
Kerbals in the Lab do not show up among the ordinary crew members. In order to get them on an EVA, you have to click on the Lab's Crew Hatch -- and left-click at that, other than the common right-click.
Energy Requirements
| Experiment | Surface Sample | Mystery Goo Observation | Materials Study | Temperature Scan | Atmospheric Pressure Scan | Seismic Scan | Gravity Scan | Atmosphere Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required part (tech tree lvl) | One Kerbonaut | Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit (2) | SC-9001 Science Jr. (4) | 2HOT Thermometer (5) | PresMat Barometer (6) | Double-C Seismic Accelerometer (7) | GRAVMAX Negative Gravioli Detector (8) | Sensor Array Computing Nose Cone (8) |
| Base value | 30 | 10 | 25 | 8 | 12 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Maximum value | 40 | 13 | 32 | 8 | 12 | 22 | 22 | 24 |
| Data scale | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2.5 | 3 | 10 |
| Transmission efficiency | 25% | 30% | 20% | 50% | 50% | 45% | 40% | 35% |
| Processing bonus | +12% | +15% | +10% | +25% | +25% | +22% | +20% | +17% |
| Processing energy (E) | 300 | 100 | 250 | 80 | 120 | 500 | 600 | 2000 |
Cleaning a Goo or Materials Container requires the same amount as processing it. Even if you don't process and transmit, merely cleaning out three of each will require 1050 Electricity Units over the course of about two minutes. As there will usually be long idle times between two clean-outs, you probably need mostly batteries and only a few solar modules.
Safely(!) Returning the Lab to Kerbin
The Lab is quite fragile, withstanding only impacts up to 6m/s. It takes ridiculous amounts of parachutes to land it safely. Other approaches to the problem trade in a few chutes for lander legs, or tiny engines and a miniscule fuel supply to pull the brakes shortly before impact. Test your design before actual use.
Usage Scenarios
Docking Space-Lab
A lander performs all experiments as usual, but rather than returning home, it docks with a Laboratory; EVA over all experiments, take/collect data, board Laboratory. The data is now safely stored in the Lab. You may clean out the experiments and re-use the same lander. Return the lab to Kerbin when done.
It's recommended to have ladders (at least) on the Materials Containers: the margin of error between "close enough to take the data" and "bouncing off" is rather small. It'd be nice if you could touch off all instruments while climbing a single ladder, though this would make for a tall assembly.
Lab Lander
Integrate the Lab in the Lander, do the data gathering and instrument cleaning on-site. No risk of poor kerbals drifting off into space. You may bring enough fuel in order to make several small hops and visit different biomes before you need to re-orbit and dock with a filling station. While convenient, such landers tend to be rather bulky and heavy, though.
Trivia
- The COSPAR designations of both the International Space Station and Mir are printed on the laboratory's hull.
Manufacturer's description
| “ | The mobile processing lab was developed to help increase the amount of science we're able to do in the field. Instead of needing to haul samples all the way back to Kerbin, the mobile lab will allow you to process these samples on site! This model is guaranteed to spontaneously combust less often than the previous models, and also has the equipment necessary to clean out and restore functionality to inoperable experiments. — Integrated Integrals |
” |
Changes
- Initial release
