Special research options that require a specific mission to unlock

[Szkeptik]

The basic idea is to have some locked options in the research tree that cannot be unlocked with x number of science points but instead require you to do a specific mission. For example sample return from a specific spot on a specific planet etc. Of course these should be options that you can circumvent if you want to (if it's too difficult at the moment), but they would unlock the nicest parts if you can do them.

[Beeman]

I'd be okay with that, I suppose. Though it seems like something that should be reserved for a mod, perhaps. Or a means to unlock mod parts...or something.

[DaveStrider]

i like the idea of events making tech researchable to counter a new threat. it would make sense for say, a "radiation shielding" tech to require a mission of a certain length, at a certain distance from kerbin (to simulate the scientists at KSC realizing the threat cosmic radiation poses to manned missions, just like we did when we monitored the radiation during Curiosity's interplanetary flight.).

[deiwy]

I do not like the idea of spending generic 'research points'. Unlocking research with specific missions is a good idea. An alternative might be to unlock new items by doing specific research (like researching rockets in a vacuum unlocks new engines which have a high ISP in a vacuum).

Then again.. this specific research can be a mission itself!