Experiment Ideas

[jsfalconero]

I was thinking it might be nice to have a thread dedicated to ideas for new experiments people would like to see as the science system is refined and expanded. I've seen some ideas that seem great to me already. I saw some discussion of a dedicated science module for long term bases/stations (like a Skylab sort of thing). It would also be cool to have something like a telescope/impactor system (similar to the Deep Impact mission). I'm sure there are other good ideas out there.

[Supernovy]

I'd like to see a spectroscope, or a radiometer. Even a camera to take pictures with probes and transmit them for science points - maybe an IR camera.

It would also be nice to have a surface sample picker-upper for probes.

Edited October 19, 2013 by Supernovy

[Idobox]

I'd like experiments for my satellites: imaging, radar, spectroscope. They could be big, heavy, power hungry and in different nodes, to motivate players to have either flotillas or put them on large stations.

I would also like parts that could do some on site analysis: mass spectrometer, x-ray diffraction, etc. The idea would be that if you have them, you could transmit a bigger ratio of science. Same thing, these parts should be challenging, but less than a return mission, and different nodes, to motivate players to improve their rovers.

If we ever get missions, we could get one-shot experiments too. A big, expensive part that needs to be put in a specific place to work (orbit, high orbit, solar orbit, etc) to measure one thing (cosmic radiation, solar flares, gravitational waves, etc)

[possum]

I would like to see something that requires more than just an instantaneous input. Like a barometer that measures atmospheric density during decent. This would require having a place to review data in game so it can be used.

[Crush]

- Magnetometer

- Particle detector

- Radar for height mapping (see ISA Map Sat mod)

- Infra-red and Ultra-violet cameras

These would be more useful in open space and in orbit of planets than near the ground.

The latter could have a practical use by showing a biome-map of the planet.

[Crush]

An aquarium with that squid-thing from the trailer:

[Nemoricus]

A Science Lab Jr Jr, for space probes. Exposing petri dishes to the harsh environment of space for science!

A Science Lab Sr, for the big rockets. No, you are not allowed to go swimming or fishing in the tank, that's for the experiments.

[trvtannenberg]

LIDARs, RADARs (using mod or stock dishes), crystallizations in space stations (which should need resupply), unmanned sample analysis (by XRF, LIDS, etc).

I'd like to see a spectroscope, or a radiometer. Even a camera to take pictures with probes and transmit them for science points - maybe an IR camera.

It would also be nice to have a surface sample picker-upper for probes.

VDS hull cam had planned IR view, also this.

Edited October 19, 2013 by trvtannenberg

[SunJumper]

Possibly the ability to stitch temperature, gravity, possibly radar, readings into a single (or three to include the poles) map for a significant boost of science (100 to 2000 depending on the body)

Atmosphere sampling

Unmanned sampling devices

(Somewhat relevant to this) Rudimentary biomes (Ocean, shore, lowlands, highlands, poles, FrozenOcean (Vall and Minmus)) for added science

Possibility of landing multiple seismometers on a body and impacting it with a fast and heavy object to find out the internal composition for lots of science

A geiger counter

Science from analysing part damage

Science from the Sun's upper atmosphere

Finally, a special EVA report message series for when you are falling towards death (when the pack fuel is zero, the time to impact is sufficiently low, or when the gravity is sufficiently high). Clearly one could not broadcast this for science (unless you can trick the kerbal or fly him/her through a mountain), so it would be a low priority easter egg.