Module

Modules define what specific parts can do. They are generally calls to C-coded or hard-coded functions that define what functionality these parts have in-game.

name

names define the module in use and are a general indication of what the module subtype does. Specific variables are associated with each [module].[name]. For example, the Clamp-O-Tron Docking Port Sr. has the MODULE.name ModuleDockingNode and its' associates variables are [referenceAttachNode] and [nodeType]. Some [MODULE]s share variables with other modules, which can make deciphering their purpose difficult.

STOCK MODULES

ModuleResourceIntake

explanation	code examples
FlagDecal variable example definition textureQuadName flagTransform specifies whether there is a flag displayed on the exterior surface of the object.
FXModuleAnimateThrottle variable example definition animationName colorAnimation specifies the animation to be used depondOnEngineState True False specifies whether the animation is dependent on the throttle responseSpeed 0.5 specifies the rate at which the animation reacts to the change in engine state
FXModuleConstrainPosition variable example definition matchRotation true false unknown matchPosition true false unknown CONSTRAINFX unknown targetName Steering steering unknown moversName wheelCollider steering unknown	MODULE { name = FXModuleConstrainPosition matchRotation = true matchPosition = false CONSTRAINFX { targetName = steering moversName = lateral } }
FXModuleLockAtConstraint This might be an error on my part. variable example definition
FXModuleLookAtConstraint variable example definition CONSTRAINLOOKFX targetName rotatorsName
KerbalSeat variable example definition seatPivotName seatPivot Unknown ejectDirection 0,1,0.2 specifies the direction from which your Kerbal will exit the vehicle. Try to line up with a hatch!
LaunchClamp variable example definition trf_towerPivot_name obj_girdercap trf_towerStretch_name obj_girder trf_anchor_name obj_ground trf_animationRoot_name launchclamp anim_decouple_name launchclamp
ModuleAlternator Specifies that this part produced a resource, based on the percentage of thrust produced by the engine. variable example RESOURCE variable example definition name ElectricCharge name of the resource produced rate 1.0 rate at which the resource is produced at 100% thrust, expressed in units/second
ModuleAnchoredDecoupler variable example definition anchorName anchor specifies the name of the anchored part ejectionForce 450 dV applied to part upon separation explosiveNodeID specifies the location of the explosion. srf surface of the attachment
ModuleAnimateGeneric variable example definition animationName Deploy CrewCabinLight dish dockingring dockingporthull isOneShot false specifies whether the animation can occur only once startEventGUIName Flavor text to describe turning the animation to its 'On' State endEventGUIName Flavor text to describe turning the animation to its 'Off' State actionGUIName Flavor text to describe switching the animation between it's 'on' and 'off' states allowManualControl true false
ModuleAnimateHeat variable example definition ThermalAnim HeatAnimationEmissiveLiquidEngine3 HeatAnimationEmissiveTurbofan HeatAnimationEmissiveJet overheat animation for applying heat to an object
ModuleAsteroid no procedures or calls
ModuleCommand Applies Command to vessels variable example definition minimumCrew 0 1 2 Specifies the minimum number of crew needed to operate this module. RESOURCE name ElectricCharge This is the name of that resource rate 15.0 and the rate in units/second of resource consumed If this Module requires a resource
ModuleControlSurface variable example definition dragCoeff this value overrides the maximum_drag value 0.5 (advanced Canard) deflectionLiftCoeff 0.7 (advanced Canard) ctrlSurfaceRange 20 (advanced Canard) ctrlSurfaceArea 0.95 (advanced Canard)	MODULE { name = ModuleControlSurface dragCoeff = 0.5 deflectionLiftCoeff = 0.7 ctrlSurfaceRange = 20 ctrlSurfaceArea = 0.95 }
ModuleDataTransmitter variable example definition packetInterval 0.18, 0.4, 0.3 packetSize 2, 2, 2 packetResourceCost 20, 10, 12.5 requiredResource ElectricCharge DeployFxModules 0 ProgressFxModules 1
ModuleDecouple variable sample definition isOmniDecoupler true false Specifies whether this decoupler separates on both ends or not. Defaults to false. ejectionForce 100 specifies the DeltaV with which the part separates explosiveNodeID top srf for non-OmniDecouplers, specifics the Node of separation
ModuleDeployableSolarPanel variable example definition animationName unknown for sure. Assumed to refer to an animation describing part transformation from its closed state to its open state. known parameters are: solarpanels solarpanels2 solarpanels4 altsolarpanelbase bigsolarpanel sunTracking Boolean argument. unknown purpose. Assumed to indicate whether the animation will turn the panel towards the sun. raycastTransformName optional. unknown. Known arguments: suncatcher pivotName optional. unknown. Known arguments: suncatcher isBreakable optional. unknown purpose, assumed to indicate whether the part will break on high-dynamic stress. true or false resourceName the resource provided by this module. Any resource may be used, including resources not defined. chargeRate Amount of resource provided per second at 100% output. Positive values only, please. powerCurve powerCurve is a special call consisting of subtypes called [key]. Each [key] uses four numbers to define what it will do at a specific distance from a source. In the case of solar panels, where powerCurve is typically used, there are typically 4 [key]s. [powerCurve] defines the rate at which resources are provided relative to the [chargeRate] and distance from the specified source (ie. Kerbol) 206000000000 0.00 0 0 013599840256 1.00 0 0 068773560320 0.50 0 0 000000000000 10.0 0 0	MODULE { name = ModuleDeployableSolarPanel animationName = solarpanels2 resourceName = ElectricCharge chargeRate = 2 powerCurve { key = 206000000000 0 0 0 key = 13599840256 1 0 0 key = 68773560320 0.5 0 0 key = 0 10 0 0 } }
ModuleDockingNode A module for docking ports variable example definition referenceAttachNode top bottom Specifies the node on the part that is used for the docking port, generally top or bottom deployAnimationController 1 0 Boolean nodeType size1 size2 size0 Specifies the type of node for attachment. When perform docking operations, nodes must have the same value for nodeType in order to dock with one another. controlTransformName controlNode apparently only used for docking nodes that have related animations, see dockingPortInline
ModuleEngines variable example definition thrustVectorTransformName thrustTransform unknown purpose. Known arguments: throttleLocked True False Used to create engines without controllable thrust. exhaustDamage True False assumed to indicate whether the exhaust from this engine will damage other parts. ignitionThreshold 0.1 appears to not be used. Suggests a minimum thrust output value, below which the engine will no longer operate. minThrust 0 10 100 Minimum thrust value. Engines will be considered 'off' at or below this value. maxThrust 200 215 80 Just like the name implies, this is the maximum thrust a single unit of this module can produce. In order to create a more powerful engine, set this value higher. heatProduction 400 900 a measure of the amount of heat energy produced per second. measured in degrees Kerbius (degrees Celsius) fxOffset 0,0,0 0,0,1 3-dimensional vector coordinates specifying the location of thrust effects useEngineResponseTime True False engineAccelerationSpeed 0.2 0.12 engineDecelerationSpeed 0.35 0.21 allowShutdown True False Specifies engines that cannot be turned off, regardless of whether their thrust can be controlled. useVelocityCurve True False PROPELLANT {} resource utilized in the operation of this part, generally a fuel or other propellant. Engines may use multiple propellant types. name LiquidFuel Oxidizer name of the resource consumed while this part is in operation ratio 0.9 1.1 rate at which this resource is consumed, per second. Not to be confused with ratio relative to other propellants. DrawGauge true false Boolean value that indicates whether or not the 'fuel remaining' indicator in the staging selection is displayed or not. atmosphereCurve {} specifies variances in operational efficiency key uses two values to specify engine efficiency relative to the depth of the atmosphere (based on Kerbin sea-level!) First number indicates the relative pressure (0 = vacuum, 1 Kerbin sea-level), second numer indicates ISP value). Translates directly to ISP. In order to make a more efficient engine, set the second number of this array higher. velocityCurve uncertain as to how exactly this works, but appears to control the degree of acceleration at particular velocities. uses a 4 part key, the first part of the key is definitely specific accelerations, the second part is percentage of velocities. { key = 0 0.5 0 0 key = 1000 1 0 0 key = 2000 0.5 0 0 key = 2400 0 0 0 } { key = 1000 0 0 0 key = 850 0.2 0 0 key = 0 1 0 0 }	MODULE { name = ModuleEngines thrustVectorTransform Name = thrustTransform throttleLocked = True exhaustDamage = True allowShutdown = False ignitionThreshold = 0.1 minThrust = 0 maxThrust = 18 heatProduction = 550 fxOffset = 0, 0, 0.02 PROPELLANT { name = SolidFuel ratio = 1.0 DrawGauge = True } atmosphereCurve { key = 0 100 key = 1 100 } }
ModuleEnginesFX variable example definition engineID LES, KS25 runningEffectName running_closed thrustVectorTransformName unknown purpose. Known arguments: thrustTransform obj_gimbal exhaustDamage True or False. assumed to indicate whether the exhaust from this engine will damage other parts. throttleLocked uncertain. Boolean values of True or False. Assumed to specify that solid Rocket Boosters cannot have their throttle adjusted while in flight. ignitionThreshold appears to not be used. Suggests a minimum thrust output value, below which the engine will no longer operate. Typical values are 0.1 (10%) minThrust Minimum thrust value. Engines will be considered 'off' at or below this value. maxThrust Just like the name implies, this is the maximum thrust a single unit of this module can produce. heatProduction a measure of the amount of heat energy produced per second. measured in degrees Kerbius (degrees Celsius) fxOffset 3-dimensional vector coordinates specifying the location of thrust effects PROPELLANT resource utilized in the operation of this part, generally a fuel or other propellant. name name of the resource consumed while this part is in operation ratio rate at which this resource is consumed, per second. Not to be confused with ratio relative to other propellants. DrawGauge Boolean value that indicates whether or not the 'fuel remaining' indicator in the staging selection is displayed or not. atmosphereCurve specifies variances in operational efficiency key uses two values to specify engine efficiency relative to the depth of the atmosphere (based on Kerbin sea-level!) First number indicates the relative pressure (0 = vacuum, 1 Kerbin sea-level), second numer indicates ISP value). ModuleEnviroSensor variable example definition sensorType ACC PRES GRAV TEMP ModuleGenerator variable example definition isAlwaysActive specifies whether this module is always active or not. true/false OUTPUT_RESOURCE name specifies the name of the produced resource. rate specifies the rate of resource produced, expressed in units per second. ModuleGimbal variable example definition gimbalTransformName thrustTransform gimbalRange represents the maximum angle, in degrees, that gimballing is supported. Recommend keeping this number relatively low (under 20 for sure), as setting the number too high can have catastrophic effects on ship design. ModuleGrappleNode variable sample definition nodeTransformName ArticulatedCap deployAnimationController 1 nodeType size1 captureRange 0.05 captureMinFwdDot 0.866 captureMaxRvel 1 ModuleJettison variable example definition specifies that pieces of this craft are able to be jettisoned, what they are and how to jettison them jettisonName node_fairing_collider fairingL fairingR fairing bottomNodeName bottom isFairing Boolean. True or False jettisonedObjectMass 0.1, specifies the mass of the jettisoned object. It is uncertain, yet, if this mass is removed from the total mass of the vehicle. It is also uncertain if, when a fairing is added in vehicle assembly, this mass is added to the parent object. jettisonForce DeltaV with which the object is jettisoned from its parent object. Typically very low values, such as 1, 2 or 5 jettisonDirection Three-dimensional array which specifies the direction of the jettisonForce relative to the original part, laterally is 0 0 1 and 0 0 -1, for example. ModuleLandingGear variable example definition BrakeTorque 12 Amount of torque applied during breaking BrakeSpeed 3 Reduction in speed over time, expressed in m/s ModuleLandingLeg variable example definition animationName Deploy newlandingleg probeleg specifies the animation to use wheelColliderName wheelCollider suspensionTransformName Piston piston leg orientFootToGround true false landingFootName foot alignFootUp true false Aligns to up Axis instead of forward axis if true suspensionUpperLimit 0.60 0.47 0.65 unknown impactTolerance 300 450 150 specifies the dV in m/s before the part breaks suspensionSpring 1.25 5 1 specifies the maximum degree of compression in the part suspensionDamper 1 2 Uncertain suspensionOffset 0 0.02 Uncertain ModuleLiftingSurface variable example definition deflectionLiftCoeff 0.3 (BSLmk2ScienceFuselage) dragAtMaxAoA 0.15 (BSLmk2ScienceFuselage) dragAtMinAoA 0.1 (BSLmk2ScienceFuselage) ModuleLight variable example definition lightName spotlight landinglight useAnimationDim true or false lightBrightenSpeed 2.5 lightDimSpeed 2.5 resourceAmount 0.4 animationName LightAnimation useResources true or false useAutoDim true or false ModuleParachute variable example definition in use semiDeployedAnimation semiDeploySmall specifies the animation to use in the semi-deployed state semiDeployedAnimation = semiDeploySmall fullyDeployedAnimation fullyDeploySmall specifies the animation to use in the fully deployed state fullyDeployedAnimation = fullyDeploySmall invertCanopy true false unknown purpose. invertCanopy = true autoCutSpeed 0.5 specifies the speed at which the parachute will be automatically cut, rendering it ineffective. autoCutSpeed = 0.5 capName cap capName = cap canopyName canopy canopyName = canopy stowedDrag 0.22 specifies the drag effect while the parachute is still stowed stowedDrag = 0.22 semiDeployedDrag 1 specifies the drag effect while the parachute is in its semi-deployed state semiDeployedDrag = 1 fullyDeployedDrag 500 specifies the drag effect while the parachute is in its fully deployed state fullyDeployedDrag = 500 minAirPressureToOpen 0.01 specifies the minimum Air pressure (or atmosphere) required for the parachute to enter its semi-deployed state minAirPressureToOpen = 0.01 deployAltitude 500 configurable, sets the altitude above the planetary collision mesh at which the parachute will enter its fully deployed state deployAltitude = 500 deploymentSpeed 1 specifies the speed at which the parachute will enter its fully deployed state deploymentSpeed = 1 semiDeploymentSpeed 1 specifies the speed at which the parachute will enter its semi-deployed state semiDeploymentSpeed = 1 ModuleRCS variable example definition Note: ModuleRCS can use either a single resource, or a series of PROPELLANT calls. thrusterTransformName RCSthruster thrusterPower This is the power that the RCS thrusters provide. To make stronger RCS, use a higher numer resourceName -------- interchangeable with PROPELLANT calls The name of the resource used by the RCS thruster, typically MonoPropellant resourceFlowMode -- for resourceName only -- Specifies the manner in which the resource is requested from the vessel STAGE_PRIORITY_FLOW STACK_PRIORITY_FLOW ALL_VESSEL NONE PROPELLANT Introduced with the inclusion of the Vernor RCS, it is recommended to use PROPELLANT calls only when using multiple resources. It is expected that older RCS will be updated to the new convention prior to final release. name name of the resource consumed ratio ratio of the resource consumed resourceFlowMode using the same pull method as a single resource, specifies how to pull the resource from the rest of the vessel atmosphereCurve Specifies the efficiency of the RCS thruster using 2-part keys 0 specifies the ISP in atmosphere 1 specifies the ISP at Kerbin Sea Level entries in between specify the ISP at specific percentages of Kerbin Sea Level (e.g: 0.5 = 1/2 Kerbin Atmosphere) ModuleReactionWheel variable example definition PitchTorque numerical value, denotes amount of change can be applied to pitch using reaction wheel power YawTorque numerical value, denotes amount of change can be applied to yaw using reaction wheel power RollTorque numerical value, denotes amount of change can be applied to roll using reaction wheel power RESOURCE The resource used by reaction wheels in order to affect the changes they can produce name name of the relevant resource, typically ElectricCharge rate Rate of consumption, expressed in units/second at full usage.	MODULE { name = ModuleReactionWheel PitchTorque = 30 YawTorque = 30 RollTorque = 30 RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge rate = 0.6 } }

variable	example	definition
used to create a part that produces a resource.
resourceName		defines the type of resource produced by this module. Any resource may be used for this purpose, including those not defined at all
checkForOxygen		An optional method that specifies this module must check to see if oxygen/atmosphere is present whenever attempting to generate the requested resource. true/false
area		area is the amount of space used for determining how much resource to produce. The larger the number, the more of the resource is produced per second.
intakeSpeed		unknown. Assumed to be a minimum m/s measure to determine if this module operates or not.
intakeTransformName		unknown. known arguments are: Intake

MODULE
{
  name = ModuleResourceIntake
  resourceName = IntakeAir
  checkForOxygen = true
  area = 0.006
  intakeSpeed = 10
  intakeTransformName = Intake  
}

ModuleSAS

no known parameters. Possibly used a reference to determine whether this part is activated by the SAS function of the interface. ie. when you turn on SAS, turn on this part.

ModuleScienceContainer

variable	example	definition
reviewActionName		Flavor text for reviewing the data contained in a science container.
storeActionName		Flavor text for placing data into a science container.
collectActionName		Flavor text for removing data from a science container.
evaOnlyStorage		Boolean, True or False Specifies whether or not data storage is restricted to EVA activities.
storageRange		Distance, expressed in meters, a Kerbal must be within in order to interact with data and this container.
allowRepeatedSubjects		Boolean, True or False

ModuleScienceExperiment

variable	example	definition
experimentID		atmosphereAnalysis mysteryGoo crewReport seismicScan barometerScan
experimentActionName		Flavor text for contextual menu to describe to the player what the part does when collecting data
resetActionName		Flavor text for contextual menu to describe to the player what the part does when collecting data
reviewActionName		Flavor text for contextual menu to describe to the player what the part does when collecting data
useStaging		Boolean True/False - speficies whether this module can be activated through the normal staging system
useActionGroups		Boolean True/False - specifies whether this module can be activated by an Action Group
hideUIwhenUnavailable		Boolean True/False - specifies whether this module will show its activation buttons through the contextual menu, even if it is not available
rerunnable		Boolean True/False. Defaults to false.
xmitDataScalar		0.35
FxModules		0 (gooExperiment)
dataIsCollectable		Boolean True/False
collectActionName		Flavor text
interactionRange		The range, expressed in meters, from which a Kerbal on EVA can interact with this module (for example to reset the experiment)

ModuleScienceLab

variable	example	definition
containerModuleIndex		numerical, 0
dataTransmissionBoost		numerical, 1.5
crewsRequired		numerical, 2
canResetConnectedModules		Boolean, True or False
canResetNearbyModules		Boolean, True or False
interactRange		numerical, possible integers only, 5
REOURCE_PROCESS
name		names the resource required, e.g.: ElectricCharge
amount		specified, numerical, the number of units of the specified resource expended

ModuleSteering

variable	example	definition
controlAxisType	Forward	Unsure. May have something to do with directional control
steeringAxis	0, 0, 1	specifies the 3-dimensional axis of steering control.
steeringTransformName	Steering	unknown
steeringLocked	true false	specifies whether the part's steering starts locked
steeringCurve	0 16 10 9 30 2 100 1	multi-array of keys,

ModuleTestSubject

Used for the contract system, determines atmospheric conditions under which this part may be considered for testing. Also specifies whether the part is able to be tested using the Staging process or must be manually selected and "Perform Test" used to satisfy contract requirements.

variable	example	definition
environments	15 1	A single numerical value, between 0 (nowhere) and 15 (anywhere), that specifies the atmospheric conditions the part may be tested under. Add numbers together to specify multiple environments 0 = nowhere 1 = the surface of; srf 2 = the ocean of; ocean 3 = the surface or ocean of; srf, ocean 4 = the atmosphere of; atmo 5 = the surface or atmosphere of; srf, atmo 6 = the ocean or atmosphere of; ocean, atmo 7 = the surface, ocean or atmosphere of; srf, ocean, atmo 8 = the space above; space 9 = the surface or space above; srf, space 10 = the ocean or space of; srf, ocean, space 11 = the surface, ocean or space of; srf, ocean, space 12 = the space or atmosphere of; atmo, space 13 = the surface, space or atmosphere of; srf, atmo, space 14 = the ocean, space, or atmosphere of; ocean, atmo, space 15 = anywhere; srf, ocean, atmo, space
useStaging	True False	specifies whether the part can be tested using the Staging Process
useEvent	True False	specifies whether the part can be tested using the "Perform Test" action.

MODULE
{	
name = ModuleTestSubject		
// nowhere: 0, srf: 1, ocean: 2, atmo: 4, space: 8	
environments = 15		
useStaging = False	
useEvent = True
}

ModuleWheel

variable	example	definition
hasMotor	true false	specifies whether the wheel has a powered propulsion system
resourceName	ElectricCharge	specifies the resource(s) used by powered propulsion system
resourceConsumptionRate	1.0	specifies the rate of consumption of resources for the powered propulsion system in units/second
canSteer	true false	specifies whether this wheel is steerable
controlAxisType	Forward	If steerable, specifies the axis type
steeringModeType	AutomaticSteer TankSteer	uncertain: may refer to rack-and-pinion versus Track-type steering
brakeTorque	300	the dV (in m/s) of torque applied when using the breaks
brakeSpeed	1.2	the dV (in m/s) that braking will slow the vehicle under optimum conditions
impactTolerance	2000	dV that this part can withstand before breaking
overSpeedDamage	60	uncertain. possibly reserved for future use, possible that this is the amount of dV of damage applied to this part whenever it exceeds it's rated speed
WHEEL
wheelName		wheel
wheelColliderName		wheelCollider
suspensionTransformName		suspensionTraverse
suspensionNeutralPointName		suspensionNeutralPoint
damagedObjectName		bustedwheel
rotateX		0
rotateY		1
rotateZ		0
steeringCurve		keys, 0 16 10 9 30 2
torqueCurve		keys 0 250 0 0 20 100 0 0 30 14 0 0 34 0 0 0

MODULE
{
	name = ModuleWheel
	hasMotor = true
	resourceName = ElectricCharge
        resourceConsumptionRate = 0.5
	canSteer = true
	controlAxisType = Forward
	steeringModeType = AutomaticSteer
	brakeTorque = 180
	brakeSpeed = 1.0
	impactTolerance = 65
	overSpeedDamage = 20

	WHEEL
	{
	    wheelName = wheel
	    wheelColliderName = wheelCollider
	    suspensionTransformName = suspensionTraverse
	    suspensionNeutralPointName = suspensionNeutralPoint
	    damagedObjectName = bustedwheel
	    rotateX = 0
	    rotateY = 1
	    rotateZ = 0
	}

	steeringCurve
 	{
   	 key = 0 18
	 key = 15 6
 	}

	torqueCurve
	{
	  key = 0 170 0 0 
	  key = 2.5 100 0 0
	  key = 12 0 0 0
	}


}

RetractableLadder

variable	example	definition
ladderAnimationRootName	TelusBay Telescopic ladder	name of the beginning animation for this module
ladderColliderName	ladderCollider	name of the collider mesh for this module
ladderRetractAnimationName	Retract	name of the retraction animation for this module

MODULES POSSIBLY FROM MODS

defining a module has it's own problems, of course, and I'm no expert, but I did find this along the way:

MODULE:NEEDS[KAS] for the module

KASModuleContainer

variable	example	definition
maxSize		specifies the size of the container relative to Kerbal Attachment System parts.
maxOpenDistance
sndStorePath		KAS/Sounds/hookBayStore
sndOpenPath		KAS/Sounds/containerOpen
sndClosePath		KAS/Sounds/containerClose
bipWrongSndPath		KAS/Sounds/bipwrong