Science Recovery Question

[sscamc]

Say I'm returning from the Mun with lots of new science on-board. Does the item used to do that particular science (say I did science with a Mystery-Goo container and pressed the keep button) have to survive and be recovered at Kerbin, or does only the command pod have to be recovered?

[togfox]

The part needs to be attached to the craft when the craft is recovered.

I've never tried to recover a part that has fallen off the craft. Can broken off parts even be recovered? If so then that might salvage science points as well.

[Odo]

The goo container has to be recovered. An alternative is transmitting your science results.

[waffelzman]

For experiments that are there own part (goo, thermometers, etc.) they need to survive.

[sscamc]

Darn. My command pod comes off from the rest of the rocket Apollo-style and only one small parachute on it... Opps...

[razark]

Can broken off parts even be recovered? If so then that might salvage science points as well.

Yes, you can recover parts and get the science.

[SRV Ron]

The science can was destroyed upon landing on land with all science lost. Either a water landing and or extra parachutes are needed for safe recovery.