How does the mobile processing lab work?

[Annushka]

I have read the wiki entry for the mobile processing lab, but I still don't understand it. I just deployed my first one, and it didn't work the way I expected. Not at all. Here are a couple of specific questions:

1. How much science will be generated over time? The wiki seems clear on the rate, but not the amount. At one point, it states "the lab may be used to perform research, which will consume a small percentage of the processed data every day to produce 5 times its value in science". This suggests that an experiment worth 30 science points would eventually be worth 30+5x30=180 science points if processed fully in a lab. Later, however, the wiki says "An experimental result produces an amount of data based on its own relative value and the location of the lab at the time the data is generated". So, which is it? Does the lab produce 5 times the science value of the processed data, or does it produce an amount somehow dependent on the location of the lab?

2. If I have already extracted science from an observation, how do I get the lab to process an equivalent observation? For instance, suppose I take a surface sample and recover it for 30 science points. If the 5x factor is correct, that means there are still 150 points worth of science to be learned from that same surface sample or an equivalent one. But I can't figure out how to get the lab working on it. Experiments I've already explored without the lab don't seem to give me the "Process Data" option required to run them through the lab. Am I misunderstanding something fundamental here?

[Geschosskopf]

As I understand it, it's like this:

1. You put data from experiments into the lab, then hit the button to process the data. This loads "data" into the lab, which is a separate thing from the "data" shown on the right-click menu when an EVA kerbal is pilfering experiment parts, and also separeate from the science value of the experiment. Thus, you can now transmit or return the original experiment and collect that science up front. You get more "data" into the lab for the same experiment if the lab is landed instead of in orbit, and the amount of "data" loaded per experiment is proportional to the science value of the original experiment.

2. Once you get rid of the original experiment, the "data" gained from processing it stays in the lab. Over time, the scientists in the lab will analyze this data, converting it into more science points that you can transmit or return later.

Although I could be wrong.

[n0xiety]

For the last week this has been asked and answered atleast in 20 threads. Im not trying to say you shouldn't ask but you could do a bit more research before you do.

Science experiment taken from a body can only be used once in a single lab. But you can use the experiment again and again in different labs if you do not send it to kerbin to get the science. You will get more science out of the lab if you have scientists sitting inside the lab or inside a connected crew compartment to the lab. So you could have 10 scientists giving bonusses to the lab or you could have 10 seperate labs with 1 scientist in each of them and can use the same experiment in every one of them before you send it back to kerbin. The science experiment you get from a planet will give the most ammount of data when its used in a lab sitting on the ground of that same planet. The second best would be at the orbit of that planet. (This excludes Kerbin. Best data gain for Kerbin is at the orbit).

Here is an example; I collected all the experiments from KSC and that accounted to about 600 science with maybe 100 experiments. I got them up to orbit and put them in my lab processing their data. After all the data was used i gained about 2500 science and returned the science experiments to KSC and got the 600 science from them totaling 3100 science. If i had 2 labs up there i could have used each science experiment twice and gain 5000 science tho labs needs to be seperate from each other. Returning the experiments would still give me 600 totaling 5600. This ofcource is bound to your scientist levels and number of scientists you have.

Edited May 16, 2015 by n0xiety

[SpaceNomad]

Annushka, I think your confusion arises from not realizing that "amount of data" and "Science" are different things. "Amount of data" is measured in Mits (though the wiki article seems to speak about "units of data" the whole time) and "Science" is measured in Science Points ("units of science" in the article).

The conversion factor from Mits to Science Point is fixed for the Mobile Lab, i.e. 5 Science Points per Mit.

The amount of data in Mits you get to store in the lab for an experiment is variable however as described in http://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Mobile_Processing_Lab_MPL-LG-2#Data_Value

I hope that clears things up for you.

You might also want to read this thread (especially RoverDude's responses), if you didn't already: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/117461-New-Mobile-Processing-Lab-mechanics

[Annushka]

Thank you for the advice and references. I understand now.

[mrklaw]

Quick question - so when you deposit experiments in a lab, are you copying them across - you still retain the original experiment? I haven't seen it clearly stated so I was wondering if I'd have to take a sample, drop it off, then go and get a sample again. n0xiety's post sounds like you keep the experiment so can then return it to kerbin, which sounds much better.

also, can you take a Kerbal and pull all the data from a capsule and pass that across for processing? I.e. Using the take/place trick to get multiple EVA reports in one capsule - you'd want to put all of those in a lab in one go.

hoping to have a play with a lab on minmus soon