Newb to Kerbal question

[Cmdr. Sypher]

Started career mode and taking both tutorials and basic contracts. Have watched tutorials on youtube also. Doing science experiments and getting credit for everything possible and lots of money. Ready to go to space and I understand orbital mechanics but game not giving me anything but SRB's and no heat shields or other engines in career mode not sure what I'm doing wrong? Is there some gate on science points or money amount?

Kerbal hospital full to capacity using provided components trying to get to orbit :~)

[Vanamonde]

The challenge is to get things done with the parts you have, then gather science to invent better parts.  Run science experiments on your flights, then spend the points they yield on new parts in the R&D building. 

[Superfluous J]

It sounds like you haven't visited R&D to spend those science points you gained. Or, you didn't use those SRBs and basic pods to fly a few places and get science in the water or grassland around KSC.

Non-SRB rockets are unlockable with the science you can get on the pad before ever launching a rocket into the air. As I show in this science-mode video made a few months ago. I got science on the pad, and then immediately launched an orbit-capable craft. Then upon its return launched a vessel to Mun. I didn't have to worry about money and contracts, but made exactly as much science as you should if you start a Normal game.

(Oh and I had a few mods to automate science collecting, which I find the boring part of the game. You have to do a lot of clicking if you play without them)

 

[king of nowhere]

Quote

It sounds like you haven't visited R&D to spend those science points you gained.

either that, or after doing the research you haven't paid for the parts. after researching a part, you still need to pay some money to unlock it

[Streetwind]

10 hours ago, king of nowhere said:

after researching a part, you still need to pay some money to unlock it

Depends on the difficulty settings, actually. On "Normal", the setting defaults to off, so you don't need to pay the entry cost even in career mode. On "Moderate" and above, the setting is turned on by default.