EVA construction without kerbals, or... in-situ kerbal creation mods?

[AtilaElari]

I want to do a big Von Neumann self-growing probe mission with Extraplanetary Launchpads, and want to use EVA Construction mode without, well, bringing kerbals along. So, is there a mod that can allow this? Or, if not, perhaps someone created a part that manufactures little green men from locally sourced Ore? That can be put back in a blender after they done their job, for proper soulless AI feel.

[zer0Kerbal]

1 hour ago, AtilaElari said:

I want to do a big Von Neumann self-growing probe mission with Extraplanetary Launchpads, and want to use EVA Construction mode without, well, bringing kerbals along. So, is there a mod that can allow this? Or, if not, perhaps someone created a part that manufactures little green men from locally sourced Ore? That can be put back in a blender after they done their job, for proper soulless AI feel.

both - Keridian Dynamics (KDVA) allows for SimpleConstruction! (SCON) without Kerbals.

MoarKerbals (MOAR) allows for the creation, well more.

https://www.curseforge.com/kerbal/ksp-mods/keridiandynamics

https://www.curseforge.com/kerbal/ksp-mods/simpleconstruction

https://www.curseforge.com/kerbal/ksp-mods/moarkerbals

[AtilaElari]

Thank you! Much appreciated.

A follow-up question: any mods with autonomous probe cores? By autonomous I mean capable of control without crew or connection to Kerbin. I want an independent mothership that can control lesser probes without coms link back to Kerbin (so I don't want to just turn off the ComNet entirely).

Or what piece of code to put in a part config. I thought I figured it out, but then my supposedly autonomous craft lost control mid-mission.

Edited April 12, 2023 by AtilaElari

[AtilaElari]

2 hours ago, zer0Kerbal said:

both - Keridian Dynamics (KDVA) allows for SimpleConstruction! (SCON) without Kerbals.

MoarKerbals (MOAR) allows for the creation, well more.

https://www.curseforge.com/kerbal/ksp-mods/keridiandynamics

https://www.curseforge.com/kerbal/ksp-mods/simpleconstruction

https://www.curseforge.com/kerbal/ksp-mods/moarkerbals

I'm a bit confused: did you imply that KDVA and SCON can allow EVA construction functionality, such as detaching and moving existing ship parts in-flight? If so, I can't seem to find it, requesting help.

[zer0Kerbal]

On 4/12/2023 at 2:44 PM, AtilaElari said:

I'm a bit confused: did you imply that KDVA and SCON can allow EVA construction functionality, such as detaching and moving existing ship parts in-flight? If so, I can't seem to find it, requesting help.

at higher tech tree levels - yes. No kerbals needed to build if several KDVA parts are on the build vessel. And no - not stock eva construction - but SimpleConstruction! which uses XPL (Extraplanetary Launchpads).

[Pehvbot]

On 4/12/2023 at 12:24 PM, AtilaElari said:

Thank you! Much appreciated.

A follow-up question: any mods with autonomous probe cores? By autonomous I mean capable of control without crew or connection to Kerbin. I want an independent mothership that can control lesser probes without coms link back to Kerbin (so I don't want to just turn off the ComNet entirely).

Or what piece of code to put in a part config. I thought I figured it out, but then my supposedly autonomous craft lost control mid-mission.

There's a bug in KSP where having a CrewCapacity of more than 0 while having a ModuleCommand (the module that allows you to control a part/vessel) with a minimumCrew = 0 will give you full control without a connection needed.  You can exploit this in your game by simply adding a seat onto the probe core you want to use.  For example if you want to give using ModuleManager a shot (google how if you need to) you can use this:

//selects the HECS2 large probe core
@PART[HECS2_ProbeCore]
{
	//changes the crew capacity to 1
	%CrewCapacity = 1
}

The (fairly big) down side is you may find Kerbals sneaking into the probe core when you build your vessel.

[JadeOfMaar]

1 hour ago, Pehvbot said:

Kerbals sneaking into the probe core

[Insert clip of Isaac Arthur discussing mind upload here] This is a nice little exploit and I do believe I have use cases for this.