Difference between revisions of "Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2"

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===Processing===
 
===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%.
+
The lab can ''process'' science from any attached science part including those on docked vessels. 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%. Processing consumes electricity (see below).
  
 
===Storing===
 
===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.
+
While the transmission boost is quite substantial, it cannot replace recovery of science results. The Lab has no immediate effect on data you keep, but it can store an infinite amounts of scientific results -- even multiple copies from the same experiment in the same situation & biome. This won't happen automatically, though: some Kerbal has to go on EVA and make the rounds, manually [[Science#Recovering the results while leaving the equipment: Taking and Storing Data|collecting]] the data from every instrument.
  
 
===Cleaning===
 
===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.
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Once their science has been either taken or transmitted, the [[Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit]] and [[SC-9001 Science Jr.]] modules can be reset for reuse by ''cleaning out'' these experiments.
  
 
== Actually using the Lab ==
 
== Actually using the Lab ==

Revision as of 07:56, 7 May 2014

Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2
Part image
Laboratory by
Integrated Integrals

Radial size Large
Cost (total) 4 000.00 Funds
Mass (total) 3.50 t
Drag 0.2-0.3
Max. Temp. 2200 K
Volume  ?
Impact Tolerance 6 m/s
Research Advanced exploration.png Advanced Exploration
Unlock cost 10 400 Funds
Since version 0.23
Part configuration largeCrewedLab.cfg
Laboratory
Crew capacity (maximum) Crew
(required) Crew
Researching energy 5 ⚡/s
Processing energy 10 ⚡/s
Inventory Slots 2 slots
Volume Limit 200 l
KerbNet
Field of View (min) 17 °
(max) 63 °
Detection 0 %
Enhancable No
Modes Terrain
Biome

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.

Purpose

Processing

The lab can process science from any attached science part including those on docked vessels. 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%. Processing consumes electricity (see below).

Storing

While the transmission boost is quite substantial, it cannot replace recovery of science results. The Lab has no immediate effect on data you keep, but it can store an infinite amounts of scientific results -- even multiple copies from the same experiment in the same situation & biome. This won't happen automatically, though: some Kerbal has to go on EVA and make the rounds, manually collecting 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. modules can be reset for reuse by cleaning out these experiments.

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

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

0.23
  • Initial release