Not getting science missions

[Ron Devu]

I'm in a position where about the only science missions I get are the survey ones nobody does. Research is not progressing and the science missions I do get are generally well beyond my abilities. For example, I frequently get missions to test equipment I have not unlocked yet. Is there a way to get more, do-able science missions?

[James Kerman]

Getting a test equipment mission will temporarily unlock the required part. It will be locked again once the mission is successfully completed. Accepting such missions without completing is a technique that can be used to have access to parts higher in the tree when you are short of science points.

[Superfluous J]

Also, I don't ever consider contracts as science opportunities. I get science on my own by using the science doodads on return missions (I never bother with probes, except as relay satellites) and I pick contracts for the place I'm going to fund the mission.

[bewing]

There are many ways to get science. As 5th Horseman said -- the best method is to unlock science instruments and then take them around the system and perform experiments in new places. This should allow you to progress your research.

As James Kerman said, part test contracts always give you the parts you need to complete the contract.

Beyond that -- the way contracts work is that as you complete them, you gain reputation. As you gain reputation, you get new types of contracts offered to you.