Make an asteroid biome to allow science to be done there

[EchoLima]

Unless I'm mistaken, the only science you can get from asteroids are surface samples done by Kerbals. That means there is no incentive to send a probe to an asteroid, like is done IRL (OSIRIS REx, Hayabusa2, NEAR Shoemaker, etc.), because you can't get any science!

As a solution, asteroids should be give their own biome so that all science experiments can be performed there.

[Bej Kerman]

Asteroids aren't planets, just big parts. As such, you can't add biomes, atmospheres, gravity, etc.

[Cavscout74]

They could probably add a part to get a surface sample in lieu of a kerbal.  Another idea - DMagic Orbital Science mod adds an experiment that scans the asteroid - needs two (identical) parts.  You get science based on how close to the center of the asteroid you scan through.  Something like that could be added to stock as well.

But like @Bej Kerman said, they probably can't add a true biome

[Gargamel]

11 hours ago, Bej Kerman said:

Asteroids aren't planets, just big parts. As such, you can't add biomes, atmospheres, gravity, etc.

Not in the same method that do for planets, but there most be a workaround for them to get the science experiments to work on asteroids and comets.    It doesn't have to be a Biome, it just has to work like one. 

[Xurkitree]

Define all science experiments to be done around asteroids as well. Done.

[SuperMiiBrother]

how about this: if a science part is attached to a ship and said ship is attached to an asteroid, it counts as asteroid science!

 

Edit: And Comets! Can’t forget those.

Edited July 16, 2020 by SuperMiiBrother
And Comets!

[Aelipse]

If you want an incentive to visit asteroids, you can add an expensive resource that can only be mined from an asteroid and voila, not only do you have a reason to visit them, but you also have a reason to bring them into Kerbin's orbit. That's what I did with Helium-3 in my game and boy, is it fun to hunt for asteroids to feed those fusion engines!

[Tweedler]

Oh this would be neat!

Maybe to make it easier you'd actually have to grab it with the ship to trigger the science to happen. 

Also there could be different science from differently sized asteroids! That would give a solid excuse visit anything below a Class D. 

[KerballingSmasher]

6 hours ago, Tweedler said:

grab it with the ship

I mean... it's practically what you have to do anyways to avoid your ship flying away while you're getting the science now!