question about the Sentinel Telescope Comet missions

[TimKerbin]

I'm playing v1.10.2917. Twice now my Sentinel Telescope in orbit has failed to find comets in the allotted time. As a result I lose reputation and money and I fail the mission. Having said that I've also successfully completed 2 of these missions with the same Sentinel. So is it possible these missions are entirely random regarding whether I will detect any comets? My probe does meet two of the criteria for each mission: in orbit of the Sun (no specifics given or needed) and have a Sentinel Telescope on board.

Given the kinds of long and elliptical orbits comets can be on, plus the relatively short time you have to find them (6 years), it seems the odds are stacked against you. I just hate losing reputation!

Edited July 19, 2020 by TimKerbin
typos

[Draalo]

On 7/19/2020 at 8:45 PM, TimKerbin said:

in orbit of the Sun (no specifics given or needed)

Those specifics are hidden.

If you have to scan for objects endangering Duna AP/PE of Sentinel has to be between Kerbin and Duna.

[KerballingSmasher]

Oh, and additionally you will need to meet all of the conditions before it will even start to find comets!

[MrSystems]

Good advice above ^.

And if you're concerned about not finding enough in time (because they're too rare or whatever), you can launch multiple craft that all meet the criteria. Each telescope only finds objects relatively nearby, but you can for instance have 4 Sentinels 1/4 of an orbit apart (use the same flight plan but launch 1/4 of a Kerbin year apart) to 4-tuple your chances.