Carrier mode - how to get started?

[alkopop79]

Downloaded 0.22 and started a carrier. Entering the Research&Development I couldn't do anything and have no idea how to earn points to do anything sensible there. In the VAB there aren't enough parts to build any kind of working spaceship, no decouplers for instance. I'm totally confused about how to achieve anything. What am I doing wrong? What's the science tree and where is it?

[Steamtex]

Just start with sub-orbital crafts. Pod, parachute, several small tanks, LV-T30. And get creative, use SRBs as decouplers like a true Kerbal! The early career mode as it is demands creativity since it limits you. Right-click your capsule or your Kerbal while on EVA to take reports on the situation.

Edited October 20, 2013 by Steamtex

[Vanamonde]

Build a rocket small enough to float down on chutes, so that it doesn't need decouplers. During the flight, right-click on the capsule to record a "crew report" that generates science points. You can do this several times during the flight if you also have an antenna to send the reports so that they're not just stored on the ship. After the ship lands, "recover" it. Then go to the new R&D building and see how many points this earned you, and spend the points on new part inventions. There are other things you do as well, but this will get you started.

[fatfluffycat]

Career mode*

sorry, it was bugging me too much.

[alkopop79]

Thanks for your kind help!

[Whackjob]

Downloaded 0.22 and started a carrier. Entering the Research&Development I couldn't do anything and have no idea how to earn points to do anything sensible there. In the VAB there aren't enough parts to build any kind of working spaceship, no decouplers for instance. I'm totally confused about how to achieve anything. What am I doing wrong? What's the science tree and where is it?

The first thing you need to do with a carrier is build some fighters.

You need to start with those, and be alert for the bloody Vaygr opening a jump portal near you. And try to keep a few fighters around your resource collectors.

[alkopop79]

Good point, thank you sir!

[Felsmak]

You can also take surface samples from the launch pad, the ground around the space center, the water, the beach and the mountains.

Keep grinding until you can afford the small solar panels. Then you can recharge your batteries and start earning some real science at the Mun and beyond!

[alkopop79]

Just start with sub-orbital crafts. Pod, parachute, several small tanks, LV-T30. And get creative, use SRBs as decouplers like a true Kerbal! The early career mode as it is demands creativity since it limits you. Right-click your capsule or your Kerbal while on EVA to take reports on the situation.

How do I use the SRB as a decoupler?

[Oddible]

The very first thing you should do (and someone should make a guide) is this:

Select a command pod, click launch. EVA and drop Jeb onto the platform, collect a soil sample, get an EVA report, get back into the pod, get a crew report. Slide your mouse up to the top middle of the screen over the altimeter and click Recover Vessel. Boom SCIENCE! That should be enough to unlock your next stuff.

Next, get a command pod, a parachute, and a solid rocket. Launch to lower atmosphere. While there, do a crew report, at the Apo if you're feeling brave, do a quick EVA, get an EVA report, get back in, fire your parachute, land. When you land, get out and get another soil sample, get back in. Recover Vessel. Boom SCIENCE!

There are 8 biomes on Kerbin, try to land your lower atmo orbits in each of them so you can collect samples and do EVA reports from all.

Put an antenna on your ship (and a battery), transmit a couple times before you recover.

Baby steps man. Baby steps. You don't need decouplers, you don't need to land on Jool, just science mine the platform first!

[MrPopcup]

How do I use the SRB as a decoupler?

when you put SRB's under each other, they heat each others. by this I mean if you put an 2 SRB's one under another. fire up the first one ( the bottom one ) then let it ALMOST drain out of fuel ( until the last bit of fuel fire up the other SRB ) so it heats it and boom, the bottom one get's blown up and you have staged the kerbal way!

[KSK]

Build a rocket small enough to float down on chutes, so that it doesn't need decouplers. During the flight, right-click on the capsule to record a "crew report" that generates science points. You can do this several times during the flight if you also have an antenna to send the reports so that they're not just stored on the ship. After the ship lands, "recover" it. Then go to the new R&D building and see how many points this earned you, and spend the points on new part inventions. There are other things you do as well, but this will get you started.

This. Also - wherever you land, EVA your kerbal (right click on the capsule door or mouseover the little portrait at the bottom of your screen) and right click on it. You should get two options - take surface sample and generate EVA report. Both are good sources of early science.

[sikatdakota]

How I Started Was I Just Put The Command Pod On, Hit Launch, EVA'd On The Launch Pad, Collected A Sample Went To The Tracking Station And Hit Recover, Thats How I Got My First Science Points.