Location Based Research and Development

[Exsmelliarmus]

I was just thinking - wouldn't it be really cool if, in career mode, research was not only conducted in the space centre, but could (and would need to be) conducted in other places.

For example, certain 'research/science' packages could require microgravity, meaning that to complete that particular stage of research, a vehicle with a cargo bay would need to be put into orbit with those packages onboard, stay in orbit with a certain number of crew for a certain amount of time and then, of course, safely return them.

Also, more advanced mining equipment for, for example, the Mün, would require, naturally enough, for certain experiments to be conducted on the Mün.

If this was implemented, it would give valid reasons to launch 'spacelab' style flights, and would mean that reusable, recoverable spacecraft would become very important and useful. Finally, additional science packages could be taken up that would not necessarily contribute to the parts tree, but could generate income for the space agency.

Anyway, just a thought, what do you guys think about it?

Edited August 9, 2013 by Exsmelliarmus

[Beeman]

They're already planning on making research more or less tied to flights. Like, the more you fly, the more research...exeperience or something you gain. Somethin' like that.

Harvester was talking about it in a thread in general discussions the other day. Pretty interesting, but I don't remember anything specific as to what he was saying, just that he wanted research to happen from things you do, rather than investing time or money...basically, just waiting for research things to unlock. So that's the direction they're going with research and development and it'll probably include bonuses for doing things on other planets.

I surely hope they can make the system really deep and complex while still being intuitive and accessible. Otherwise, there'll probably be at least one mod for such a thing in the future.

[nothke]

I made a suggestion about this and threw some practical ideas:

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/39155-Career-mode-material-bio-medical-particle-research

[Exsmelliarmus]

Wow, you've go some great ideas nothke! Didn't see that thread, sorry.