My first post! Hello all . This will have both things already said, mixed with some of my own (in my mind at least). OK here goes: Resource recovery should definitely be a stock idea, but maybe not for plain ol' rocket fuel. First: Mining for the stock fuel and why/why not... Getting a fuel station orbiting around Kerbin or Minmus is the most efficient way to refuel for interplanetary travel, and these resources can be easily built and maintained via Kerbin launches. However, qetting mining stations, refineries (grounded or orbital), is relatively cumbersome for something that is not required for IP travel. The Kethane mod has a nice way of requiring planet scans and even has a very convenient (and yes, simple) method to "refine" the Kethane ore into your choice of fuel, oxidizer, or RCS propellant. The mod overall adds a fun (and not necessarily quick) means to building IP gas stations. I'm glad that this mod doesnt require sending chem labs, refineries, and the catalysts required just to make a fuel I can get from home! Second, mining resources for science! (collaboration with OP) Recourse mining should not only reward science, but as OP stated, give rare minerals that may research to upgrade our already stock parts. Examples: Rare elements can research much lighter (and stronger) metals/metalloids. If a liquid ore is discovered and found to be a propellant, it should be made very valuable and somewhat rare and WORTH building refineries ect. to ship it all the way back home and designing an engine to burn it. Maybe if they add a planet with an extremely harmful atmosphere (radioactive) can only be visited after scouring one of Kerbins moons to find a very malleable but heavy mineral resistive to the corrosive "air" this new planet has to offer (space gold!). This would help reduce the "mining just to mine" aspect of it! Thanks for reading! or TLDR; 1. Mine minerals that upgrade fuselages to be lighter and stronger. 2. Any ore mined for propellant must be highly valuable and actually worth the trip (since everywhere can be reached from home without the need to mine). 3. Reduce the "mining just to mine" thought by adding a mineral that is resistive to a corrosive atmosphere of a much desired planet to see (space gold).