Directional Antennae, Signal Strength, Satelites and Science

[kaaaaaaan]

This is an idea that aims to address a whole host of issues with the game as it is now.

1 - There is no benefit to returning experiments, but rather a penalty since in order to get the same amount of science you would have to run the mission twice.

2 - There is no real benefit to using the better antennae since power is often more of a concern than actual transmission speed and most of the time using one of the "better" antenna results in waiting longer for a transmission to complete as you keep running out of power unless you have an insane amount of batteries.

3 - The most effective way of gaining science (transmission) is also very tedius.

4 - The antennae, especially the latter two who have dishes and are clearly directional, are able to transmit back to Kerbin even if Jool and the Sun is between the antenna and Kerbin or the antenna is pointed outside of the solar system.

5 - The antennae are unrealistic in that they require the same amount of power, send the same amount of data at the same speed regardless of distance and angle.

6 - There isn't much point to having a space station or a satellite (though I expect this might not be the case after money is introduced, but I don't see why my solution could not be implemented along side the other resouces)

My solution is as follows:

1 - Without being too realistic to be fun, make it so that direction and distance effects how much of the research can be transmitted (it makes sense that a low signal to noise ratio would result in less usable science back on Kerbin), how much energy it takes and how fast transmission occurs.

2 - Without being too realistic to be fun, make it so that having satellites in Kerbin and Kerbol orbit help reduce power requirements, transmission times and increase science gain.

3 - Do not vary transmission percentages by experiment type, but by signal strength which is both a function of angle, distance and equipment quality with a maximum of 100% for all scientific data if you are within a certain range of the next transmission node, are pointed straight at it. With a transmission rate of 0% if you are out of the antenna's maximum range or pointed in completely the wrong direction or there is an obstacle between the science vessel and Kerbin.

4 - Add a very modest bonus to science for returning experiments, that is counted as a different experiment (after all studying materials in space is not the same as studying materials after they have returned from space).

5 - Exceptions are: Crew reports, EVA reports, temperature, barometric and seismic scans, which do not have a return bonus, and surface samples which can only be useful if they are returned (which shouldn't be an issue since you will probably want to return your kerbal home anyway).

6 - (not essential) Remove the repeated bonuses for doing the same experiment at the same place

What I mean by being too realistic to be fun is that one could assume that the antennae can change their angle within reason and you don't have to be spot on, and a truly accurate routing simulation is not necessary.

I feel that this will solve the problems I mentioned as follows:

1 - Early game, before you have a good Satellite network getting 100% of science will be so tedious that I doubt anyone will attempt it (I am thinking like 0%-5% instead of 20%-100%)

2 - The better antennae can now send more of the research and at greater distance which means there will be a reason to have them other than visual appeal.

3 - Once you have a satellite network doing science via transmission wont be tedious at all since you will be able to get 100% without much difficulty. Implementing #6 will make this also reduce tedium as well as the relative over abundance of science.

4&5 - Are the issues that this idea directly adresses

6 - Now there will be a point to having stuff in orbit.

[Minarkhaios]

It's a good suggestion and KSP have something very similar with the solar panels.

- They automatically point out in the right direction (to kerbol).

- A ratio is computed based on angle.

- I was under the impression that distance to kerbol also matters, but I might be wrong (and if I am, you need to also add it ).

Replace kerbol by 'kerbal space center', light by radio wave and solar panel by antenna and you have the same mechanism.

kerbal space center became a new source of power, and antennas are radio panels that tries to get the more of it.

Radio satellites can be sold as alternate source of power (maybe with a new 'repeater' part that act as a small sun).

And atmospheres could shorten the distance traveled by radio 'power ray' so we'll need repeater in orbit.

Seems too easy, so it might not be.

Edited October 23, 2013 by Minarkhaios

[MGyver]

I like it. The current system of 'delivering' science data just doesn't make sense....

[Doctor Axel]

Agreed - the bigger antennas should be for transmitting over larger distances, I think. The little teeny one shouldn't be able to contact KSC from all the way out past Eeloo...

[PDCWolf]

Something was talked about directional antennae or even L.O.S. being required for transmission. I WANT to believe it wasn't included in this update because of time or something else, and not because it was 2HARD.

Rated this 5stars, people should do the same, you know, in case it helps.

[jcraft]

Something was talked about directional antennae or even L.O.S. being required for transmission. I WANT to believe it wasn't included in this update because of time or something else, and not because it was 2HARD.

They talked about it in last "Squadcast" episode - comms almost definitely will have range limitations, and line of sight requirement is also considered. For now it just seems they simply not sure how exactly they want it to work in the game (or at least that's what I understood from the stream).

And on the subject of OP suggestions - I definitely support them.

Edited October 23, 2013 by jcraft

[DevoidLight]

Relaying data by satelites is a great idea. As of now there is no real reason to maintain satelites and spacestations after the orbit experiments are complete.