Query on SAS & probes

[Silverwood]

Hi

I have just started the program, and am now playing through career mode.

Two questions - 1. what advances do you need to make to get the full SAS systems - ie the icons on the left by the navball and 2. does the game have unmanned probes such as Viking or Voyager?

Thanks

Keith

[Aegolius13]

There are technically three ways to get SAS controls.  One is to level up a pilot (e.g., by flying by, orbiting, landing or planting flags on new celestial bodies).  This page shows which pilot experience levels correlate with which SAS functions.  Note that for this to work, the pilot has to be in a command module.  Just having the pilot in a passenger cabin will not work.  

http://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Experience

The second way is to use a probe core with SAS functionality.  This also addresses your second question - probe cores allow you to fly unmanned craft.  Each probe core has a different set of SAS functions available.  Generally the more technologically advanced and expensive the probe core is, the more functions it will have.  Also, note that if you play with the CommNet feature enabled, you'll need a communications link back to Kerbin for probe cores to work fully.  

http://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Probe

The third way is with a part called the Fly by Wire Avionics Hub.  This gives full SAS functionality, but does not act as a probe core.  So you'd still need a kerbal in a command module, or a probe core, to actually control your ship.  I find this thing useless because it's cheaper just to use a full-feature probe core.  

[Silverwood]

Thank you.

Much appreciated.

Keith