Best first destination in Science Mode

[krblman]

I'm restarting my science mode save.

Where do you think I should send my rocket first to get the most science?

[sweatbox]

You could start by going to Minmus - it requires significantly less delta-v overall than the Mun and the surface samples etc will net you tons of science. It's generally where I prefer to go when I start a game 

[modus]

The KSC 

[jimmymcgoochie]

Kerbin.

Two command pods stuck together by their pointy ends (to make an hourglass shape) can roll around the KSC a and collect a lot of science, especially with Bob on hand to reset the mystery goo canisters and store samples in both pods. Each facility in the KSC is its own “biome” and some structures are separate too e.g. the three tracking station dishes, most fuel tanks and the various parts of the R&D complex, so there’s oodles of science to be gained without even launching a single rocket; once you unlock wheels it becomes even easier and when you’re done at KSC, head out around Kerbin to get science from all its biomes.

Depending on your science gain setting, you can unlock a substantial part of the tech tree without ever leaving the atmosphere. It takes a while, but means you can extract the maximum possible science when you head out into space.

[kerbiloid]

12 hours ago, krblman said:

Where do you think I should send my rocket first to get the most science?

Put it next to the VAB and walk there.

[UmbralRaptor]

Assuming you did some on-pad collection to get the first two unlocks, Polar Kerbin orbit to get all the EVAs. Minmus can be the second launch.

[Starman4308]

For a low delta-V option after LKO science, you can also do a free-return around the Mun (and Minmus): with a scientist and experiment containers onboard, that should let you harvest all the materials science + mystery goo, thermo+baro, crew report, and at least some of the EVA reports from space high/low over said moons.

Do note that a perfect free return is difficult to get without a relatively high flyby of these moons, so I usually reserve a bit of delta-V for a correction burn.

EDIT: For bonus points, slingshot from the Mun to Minmus, then back to Kerbin, possibly using a second Mun encounter on the way. One low delta-V mission with a quite high science reward.

Edited May 24, 2021 by Starman4308

[Vanamonde]

You can collect science from the "grasslands" around KSC, the mountains to its west, the sea to its east, there's the desert a ways west and a little to the north, etc. 

[Philae_Rosetta2021]

I would say Minmus after orbiting.

First, I did a flyby around the Mun which did give me a lot of science, but honestly, for your first "Landing" do Minmus. It is so easy to land on and you can biome hop with very little effort, racking up huge amounts of Science.

For interplanetary first trip, go to Gilly.

[A Fistful Of Double Downs]

A Munar flyby, Minmus flyby, and solar flyby (leaving Kerbin's sphere of influence for a few minutes and then turning around and going right back home counts!) are all simple and will net you decent amounts of science. If you actually want to put boots on the ground though, Minmus is the best choice because its hella low gravity makes it so much easier than the Mun. 

[Admiral Fluffy]

If you want to get there, but not worry about getting back, send probes. The mun or minimus would be good for that.

Or just send a probe into a solar orbit to get Science. I have two of those in my save file.