Command module
A command module, cockpit, command pod or sometimes probe core is a part which allow controlling a vessel. While it is no longer required to choose a command module first, there must be at least one module operational for a ship to be controllable.
Contents
[hide]Naming
Various names are used for this type of part. The term command module is, in general, everything which allows controlling a vessel. Cockpits and command pods can be manned by Kerbals, with cockpits usually placed on planes, and command pods normally placed on rockets. Crew pods or capsules might be also used instead of a command pod. Command modules which cannot be manned are sometimes called probe cores but usually are called command modules as well.
Control
All vessels can only be controlled as long as at least one command module on board is operational. Manned command pods need at least one crew member to be functional. Probe command modules consume electric charge and cease to function when the energy of the vessel is depleted. Manned command pods do not operate similar to probe command modules when missing a crew, and do not drain any electric charge.
All command modules provide torque for control and have SAS except for the command seat which has neither of them. Prior to the redesign in version 0.21 the modules haven't any ASAS functionality, which is similar to the SAS since then, and only the manned modules had sufficient torque. Torque is generated using reaction wheels and drain additional power to operate them.
Prior to 0.20 a command module was always the root part but since that update, it is possible to build vessels without one. In this case the game will warn the player that the craft is not controllable.
Manning
At the beginning of a flight, only the primary command module will be manned. Since 0.21 the player can change which command pods and passenger compartments are manned before launch. The crew available is selected from the astronaut complex. In earlier versions the only way to get additional crew for a ship was by manually moving Kerbals from another vessel using EVAs.
Each command pod which can be manned and except the seat has a small amount of monopropellant on board to allow refilling EVA suits.
List of command modules
There are sixteen different modules in the game. Four of them are crew pods designed for use with rockets, three are cockpits designed for planes, seven are probe modules designed for unmanned probes, one is a cupola intended for space stations, and one is an external seat for rovers. The main difference between the different command modules is their outer form, their mass, and their crew capacity, except for the EAS-1 External Command Seat which uniquely cannot have crew assigned to it at launch, create or store science reports, or be the first part of a craft.
The PPD-10 Hitchhiker Storage Container, although a manned module, is not a command module and cannot be used to control a craft even if it is occupied.
Image | Part | Radial size | Cost ( ![]() |
Mass (t) |
Max. Temp. (K) |
Tolerance (m/s) |
Tolerance (g) |
Torque (kN · m) |
S.A.S. level |
Required Crew/ Power |
Capacity (⚡) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mk1 Cockpit | Small | 1 250 (1 241) |
1.28 (1.25) |
2 000 (1 100) |
40 | 50 | 10 | ![]() |
![]() |
50 ⚡ 7.5 ![]() | |
Mk1 Inline Cockpit | Small | 1 600 (1 591) |
1.03 (1.00) |
2 000 (1 100) |
40 | 50 | 10 | ![]() |
![]() |
50 ⚡ 7.5 ![]() | |
Mk2 Cockpit | Mk2 | 3 500 (3 482) |
2.06 (2.00) |
2 500 (1 400) |
45 | 50 | 15 | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
150 ⚡ 15 ![]() | |
Mk2 Inline Cockpit | Mk2 | 3 500 (3 470) |
2.10 (2.00) |
2 500 (1 400) |
45 | 50 | 15 | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
150 ⚡ 25 ![]() | |
Mk3 Cockpit | Mk3, Small | 10 000 (9 880) |
3.90 (3.50) |
2 700 (1 500) |
50 | 50 | 40/40/20[Note 2] | ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
500 ⚡ 100 ![]() | |
Mk1 Command Pod | Small, Tiny | 600 (588) |
0.84 (0.80) |
2 200 (1 200) |
14 | 50 | 5 | ![]() |
![]() |
50 ⚡ 10 ![]() | |
Mk1-3 Command Pod | Large, Small | 3 800 (3 764) |
2.72 (2.60) |
2 400 (1 400) |
20 | 50 | 15 | ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
150 ⚡ 30 ![]() | |
Mk1 Lander Can | Small | 1 500 (1 482) |
0.66 (0.60) |
2 000 (1 000) |
8 | 50 | 3 | ![]() |
![]() |
50 ⚡ 15 ![]() | |
Mk2 Lander Can | Large | 3 250 (3 202) |
1.515 (1.355) |
2 000 (1 200) |
8 | 50 | 15 | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
100 ⚡ 40 ![]() | |
PPD-12 Cupola Module | Large, Small | 3 200 (3 188) |
1.80 (1.76) |
2 000 (1 000) |
8 | 50 | 9 | ![]() |
![]() |
200 ⚡ 10 ![]() | |
EAS-1 External Command Seat | Radial mounted | 200 | 0.05 | 1 200 | 6 | 50 | — | ![]() |
![]() |
— | |
Probodobodyne RoveMate | Small | 800 | 0.15 | 1 200 | 12 | 50 | — | 0 | 2.4 ⚡/min (144 ⚡/h) |
120 ⚡ | |
Probodobodyne QBE | Tiny | 360 | 0.07 | 1 200 | 15 | 50 | — | 0 | 1.5 ⚡/min (90 ⚡/h) |
5 ⚡ | |
Probodobodyne HECS | Tiny | 650 | 0.1 | 1 200 | 12 | 50 | 0.5 | 1 | 1.5 ⚡/min (90 ⚡/h) |
10 ⚡ | |
Probodobodyne OKTO | Tiny | 450 | 0.1 | 1 200 | 12 | 50 | 0.3 | 0 | 1.2 ⚡/min (72 ⚡/h) |
10 ⚡ | |
Probodobodyne OKTO2 | Tiny | 1 480 | 0.04 | 1 200 | 12 | 50 | — | 2 | 1.8 ⚡/min (108 ⚡/h) |
5 ⚡ | |
Probodobodyne Stayputnik | Tiny | 300 | 0.05 | 1 800 | 12 | 50 | — | — | 1.67 ⚡/min (100 ⚡/h) |
10 ⚡ | |
Probodobodyne HECS2 | Small | 7 500 | 0.2 | 2 000 | 8 | 50 | 10 | 3 | 3.0 ⚡/min (180 ⚡/h) |
1 000 ⚡ | |
RC-001S Remote Guidance Unit | Small | 2 250 | 0.1 | 2 000 | 9 | 50 | 0.5 | 3 | 3.0 ⚡/min (180 ⚡/h) |
15 ⚡ | |
RC-L01 Remote Guidance Unit | Large | 3 400 | 0.5 | 2 000 | 9 | 50 | 1.5 | 3 | 4.8 ⚡/min (288 ⚡/h) |
30 ⚡ | |
MK2 Drone Core | Mk2 | 2 700 | 0.2 | 2 500 | 20 | 50 | 15/3/3[Note 2] | 3 | 3.0 ⚡/min (180 ⚡/h) |
250 ⚡ | |
MPO Probe | Small | 9 900 (9 854) |
0.895 (0.395) |
2 200 | 9 | 50 | 6 | 3 | 3.0 ⚡/min (180 ⚡/h) |
1 000 ⚡ 45 ![]() 55 ![]() | |
MTM Stage | Small | 21 500 (6 300) |
0.795 (0.415) |
2 200 | 12 | 50 | 12 | 2 | 1.8 ⚡/min (108 ⚡/h) |
4 000 ⚡ 3 800 ![]() |
- ↑ Jump up to: 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 In the "Career" mode in manned command modules, the performance and functionality of the SAS is determined by the presence of at least one kerbonaut with the specialization "Pilot" and the level of his specialization. In the "Science" and "Sandbox" modes, a kerbonaut with any specialization can use all the functionality of the SAS on board the manned command module without restrictions.
- ↑ Jump up to: 2.0 2.1 Torque differs between axes. These numbers are for pitch/yaw/roll respectively.