Tech for space station

[epicbens123]

I am relatively new to ksp but have already achieved a lot. at the moment I want to build a space station. However, I am playing on science and don't want to waste what precious little Science I have on tech not necessary for it. So please tell me what tech will I need to make a space station

[Aegolius13]

In general, there's not a lot in KSP that distinguishes "space station" from "spaceship that doesn't happen to move very much."  Meaning there aren't a lot of parts you uniquely need for a station, as opposed to wanting to get for general purposes.  That said, here are a few parts that are good to have:

 

-Large fuel tanks, if you intend to use your station as a refueling point for other craft.  

-The mobile processing lab (MPL).  I refuse to use this thing for its main purpose, science farming, because I find it overpowered and not-fun.  But I still add them to all my large stations, just because they seem like something you should have. 

-Large batteries and Gigantor solar panels, especially if you intend to use the MPL.

-Docking ports.  Does not matter a lot which ones you use, as long as you match your ships to your stations.  I like the regular size ones, since they also work with the shielded and inline ports.  

-Passenger cabins.  I usually use the Hitchiker for smaller stations, and the Mk 3 passenger cabin for larger stations.  

-Larger reaction wheels, so your big station can turn.  

-A high-end probe core such as the HECS2 or small Remote Guidance Unit.  It's very helpful to be able to turn your station to point a docking port towards a targeted ship.  

-MOAR BOOSTERS to get all the aforementioned stuff into space.  TwinBoars tend to work well for this.  

 

Edit: one more.  The new Experiment Storage Unit is good for sucking up all the science from visiting ships, without having to EVA it over.  

Edited December 28, 2016 by Aegolius13

[bewing]

^ And maybe a klaw or two sticking out so that you can dock stuff that doesn't have docking ports.