Early Science

[RoboZoom]

Hey Guys,

I've tried reading tutorials, but haven't found the right one. I'm having a really rookie problem - I'm trying to gain science early in career mode. I've completed a bunch of contracts, but I have only been able to upgrade one track (the bottom one with the science advancements). How do I gain science to keep progressing? I keep breaking records, and not crashing... what else do I need?

Also, on another note... what's the best way to get pitch authority with a rocket in the early game? Thanks!

[Streetwind]

It is important to know where and when what science can be collected. Some experiments can only be done at certain altitudes, others at all altitudes. Certain experiments can be repeated in each biome, others are global. Some experiments combine all of these traits and are biome-dependant in specific situations, global in other situations, and not available at all in yet other situations. I expect that you are simply missing a good chunk of science because you don't yet know all the possible situations in which to trigger experiments.

To help with learning this, I recommend the ScienceAlert addon. It sits in your toolbar and notifies you with sound and animation whenever there is an experiment available that you have not yet collected for this situation. You can then click the icon and choose the experiment to be taken without having to hunt down the part on your craft (great for things stored in bays). Obviously this doesn't work if the experiment is occupied (an untransmitted report sitting in your thermometer for instance), so make sure you either transmit, or EVA with a kerbal to remove the data, or simply bring several copies of the experiment so you can perform it in different situations. Also be aware of the slight inconsistency with how the stock game handles EVA reports: a Kerbal on a ladder of a landed vehicle is considered flying. Which sometimes causes ScienceAlert to display that you have an EVA report to take on a landed vehicle, but when you go on EVA, the notification disappears (because until you let go of the ladder you are no longer considered landed, and you already took the inflight report earlier).

Also, maybe this writeup I did a few days ago might help you out, even though it was meant for a slightly different purpose.

To improve the ability of your rocket to pitch before unlocking the AV-R8 winglet - that depends on what you want to achieve. If you are unable to keep your rocket from flipping, mount 4 basic fins at the very bottom of your rocket. If you are unable to steer because the rocket goes straight forward and doesn't want to turn, you need to accelerate less violently (thrust limit SRBs during building, or throttle down liquid engines in flight).

Edited August 12, 2015 by Streetwind

[Wemb]

Also, on another note... what's the best way to get pitch authority with a rocket in the early game? Thanks!

What Streetwind says - but also remember that while the capsules will have reaction wheels, the Stayputnik doesn't - but reaction wheels only go so far - Moar winglets on the bottom is the new moar boasters.

Wemb

[Phil deCube]

Hey Guys,

I've tried reading tutorials, but haven't found the right one. I'm having a really rookie problem - I'm trying to gain science early in career mode. I've completed a bunch of contracts, but I have only been able to upgrade one track (the bottom one with the science advancements). How do I gain science to keep progressing? I keep breaking records, and not crashing... what else do I need?

Also, on another note... what's the best way to get pitch authority with a rocket in the early game? Thanks!

Have a look at this tutorial.

[Chaos_Klaus]

Moar winglets on the bottom is the new moar boasters.

More winglets make a rocket more stable ... that actually makes a rocket less controlable.

The easiest way to get control is with an engine that has thrust vectoring (gimbal). The LV-T45 "Swivel" has it. The LV-T30 "Reliant" hasn't.

At lower altitudes you can use controlsurfaces to steer your rocket.

[legoclone09]

The Science Jr in space near Kerbni gives 25 science and high above is 37.5. Low is 70km-250km, high is 250km+

Atmospherewise is 0-18km is low, 18+ is high atmo. Also, welcome to the forums!

[RoboZoom]

Hey Guys, thanks for all of the input. I'm about to give it all a try - thanks!

And thanks for the welcome to the forum! I'm really exciting about becoming a space explorer!

[legoclone09]

Hey Guys, thanks for all of the input. I'm about to give it all a try - thanks!

And thanks for the welcome to the forum! I'm really exciting about becoming a space explorer!

Thanks! Can't wait to hear the results! Happy flying! And I hope it goes well. But explosions are fun if you have revert on, so don't be sad if it doesn't work.

[Sharpy]

More winglets make a rocket more stable ... that actually makes a rocket less controlable.

.

You mean fins. Winglets make the rocket controllable, especially if you add a second set above CoM.

[jackboy900]

For early science I always get all the science at all altidues by going suborbital to +250 Km and then use rolling to get science from KSC,runway,gangway and launchpad. then I do a mun and minmus fly-by with a scientist and the OKTO for low/high for both and then focus on funds for surface sample and do a minmus landing and repeat (or hop around) until I get all the biomes. Mun also has good science. By then I'm good.

Also rush for the fuel-lines, LV-45 and rotating winglets for a very good early launcher.