Eisenengel

I have a problem. I've launched several probes with the first tier kethane detectors into Kerbin and Minimus orbits. All are well below 200 km. The probes have sufficient electrical charge. They scan fine when I directly control them, but when I switch to another craft or back to the space center, they stop scanning. Does that mean I have to sit on a probe until it has completely finished scanning a body?