How to use the sputnik?

[GungaDin]

I finally got myself a sputnik (career mode - no mods) but how do I use it? I strapped an antenna on it and launched it into space but there is no option for transmitting a report?

[DisarmingBaton5]

Probe cores cannot take crew reports as they cannot contain crew. You can attach instruments to them and transmit those results, though.

[Vanamonde]

The probe core is a substitute for a capsule with a pilot in it; it allows you to control other parts, but does little by itself.

[SRV Ron]

The probe core is a substitute for a capsule with a pilot in it; it allows you to control other parts, but does little by itself.

In addition, it is always using power, so, you want to have solar panels and a extra battery. Otherwise, it allows you to build much smaller one way rockets for landing on other worlds in the Kerbal System to transmit lots of data for science points.

They are also good for probes carried along on missions to be sent independently for landing.

[Danish_Savage]

Its very good for making small reasonable landing probes.