Unmanned cores and batteries in first tech level

[szputnyik]

So I get it that kerbals are not humans, that kerbal spaceflight history does not necessarily have to mirror human spaceflight history, that kerbal attitude to technology and the worth of kerbal life is like that of the Goblins in World of Warcraft, however, logically, it doesn't make sense that manned spaceflight comes before unmanned, because of the simple reason that unmanned probes are lighter than manned ones, and no life support is needed inside them, so a less complex and smaller launch vehicle and a less advanced level of technology and understanding of rocket science is needed to get them to space. Isn't it easier to stick some antennas to a metal ball and stick a battery on it, than to construct a capsule that could maintain a Kerbin-like habitable environment for a kerbal passenger?

I also don't understand why don't batteries show up in the first tech level, doing science with the very limited power of the manned capsule is pretty hard, after about 2 transmissions, the power goes out, when you take it into account, that other things need to be done during flight that consume power (turning the craft around, SAS etc.)

Edited October 16, 2013 by szputnyik

[shadowsutekh]

There's been a debate about this, and no solution is going to make everybody happy. Batteries are where they are because additional science and antenna equipment are added at that stage. Giving access to batteries immediately offers an easy way to abuse the science system.

If you're really that desperate for power, you can create designs that include multiple command pods for additional power and torque.

Pods also aren't available from the start as they bring the power issue into play, and it's done to not overwhelm new players with micromanagement of power supplies and make rockets easier to control as (a)sas units are higher up the tech tree.

Remember, you're looking at this mode as an experienced KSP player. New players don't have that luxury. That said, career mode is still very much in development, and who knows how the tree will be restructured with each update.

[UbioZur]

For the core we already have a big thread to discuss it: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/52606-Probes-before-Kerbonauts

For the battery, well, the electricity/battery is everything and the key of science. so giving access to them at the beginning would make everything too easy and pointless.

the idea is not so much to send transmission but to bring the capsule back. or to send transmission just before a burn that a engine can charge the electricity.

You can also stack the command pod for more battery.

Edited October 16, 2013 by UbioZur

[Kerbart]

So I get it that kerbals are not humans, that kerbal spaceflight history does not necessarily have to mirror human spaceflight history, that kerbal attitude to technology and the worth of kerbal life is like that of the Goblins in World of Warcraft, however, logically, it doesn't make sense that manned spaceflight comes before unmanned, because of the simple reason that unmanned probes are lighter than manned ones, and no life support is needed inside them, so a less complex and smaller launch vehicle and a less advanced level of technology and understanding of rocket science is needed to get them to space. Isn't it easier to stick some antennas to a metal ball and stick a battery on it, than to construct a capsule that could maintain a Kerbin-like habitable environment for a kerbal passenger?

If you don't have the technology to remote control vehicles, then no, it's not easier.

Suppose you need to bring a package to the fedex office. Wouldn't it be easier to have a self-guided small electric cart do that? It can be a lot smaller and lighter than your car, since it only needs to carry a package, and not you.

And yet, you're driving your car there. Personally. Exactly the same thing.

All you need to do is make the assumption that the Kerbals have no remote control tech. Yes, unmanned is lighter and smaller. But that's rather pointless if you can't steer it into orbit and you can't let it do experiments.