ibeinsane

Magnets may work if the iron density was large enough but the extent of a magnetic field from something such as a magnetic boot is very short distance indeed. (Think about 2 magnets) Lifting your foot (by say 30 cm) would extend the distance beyond any appreciable force and certainly rule out allowing to jump/run. Of course that depends on how real life you want things to be. IMO the idea of this pack and asteroids is to add some of the difficulties and challenges involved with them. Beyond the difficulty in getting to them the lack of appreciable gravity in real life is an issue for any drilling mission or future manned mission to such an asteroid, the CLAW is already a huge help to us.

I would still say that the science lab for science and exploration would be best used on an extended duration large space ship mission with multiple landers if necessary, not a permanent manned space station as once all biomes are explored there is no advantage for a space station and no need for kerbals to remain on board. I suppose this may come down to definitions. 1)Does a large space ship in a single orbit for 1 year constitute a space station Or is a space station a permanently manned structure

Although I take your point I'm not sure I agree. Yes you could put a station into orbit to generate electricity, indeed I have had several very large solar generators around different bodies and a couple of nuclear reactors from kethane but they serve no real purpose beyond the ability to build it. Stations can double as communications and fuel stores etc but these would always be secondary purposes. A satellite provides comms and a tanker provides fuel. The ISS was not built for communications or fuel storage. Antimatter or other form of orbital fuel production IMO detracts from the reality of the game so is something I have stayed away from. Even so do any of these mods require kerbals on the stations? The idea of having a station as part of the career is to add a reason to the many stations people are building, and specifically a reason to have kerbals on the stations. For what purpose would I have to place a large space station into eve orbit generating lots of electricity with 10 kerbals other than the pure challenge? Science would be expended rather quickly and I can find no reason for a station rather than a single 1 (or 3) kerbal craft on a single trip. I would be interested to know if someone has found a mod that really necessitates a permanent or semi permanent space station in any orbit which specifically requires a kerbal to be on board. The only exception to this is the science module but IMO the only use for this is planet surfaces you are not going to return from and I am yet to sacrifice a kerbal in this way. In all other circumstances the kerbal should return and therefore the science too.

I have joined the forum mainly to reply to this post and to start offering some suggestions. I have been playing KSP for quite a while now and agree there should be some greater purpose for Space Stations and also ground based stations other than purely aesthetics, refuelling and a rendezvous point (which a tanker can provide). Science is the obvious point at this stage, perhaps attributing small science points over time depending on where the base is and how many kerbals are on it. It could also provide material to bring back to kerbal to obtain science. Additionally in future versions the use of contracts and monetary system could offer incentives to build space stations and ground stations but not necessarily to work them. This could be obtained unless additional funds were available for subsequent visits, supplies, additions and kerbal exchange. I think considering space stations, satellites and bases are common place by most users a definite purpose for a permanent space craft and/or stations should be defined with a purpose for longer term visits by kerbals (and reasons for multiple kerbals) to orbits and planet surfaces. At the moment science and cash is the obvious one when it is introduced, but additional repairs, automation and functions available only the kerbals would be great.