Transmission Reduction of Science Points

[Duxwing]

I am building an autonomous Laythian lander and therefore want to know how data transmission affects science point output: will enough transmissions of unprocessed sensory data provide fewer science points than returning processed data to Kerbin, and will it 'destroy' science points that the latter method could have earned?

-Duxwing

[Fr3Runn3r]

Enough transmissions will give the same amount of science points. Basically the only difference between the two methods is you have to do more transmissions.

[Kasuha]

Enough transmissions will give the same amount of science points. Basically the only difference between the two methods is you have to do more transmissions.

Not anymore in 0.23 AFAIK.

Many experiments and data have transmission limit (e.g. 25%) and you can only get that much science points of the total by transmitting, even if you repeat transmissions.

[Duxwing]

Not anymore in 0.23 AFAIK.

Many experiments and data have transmission limit (e.g. 25%) and you can only get that much science points of the total by transmitting, even if you repeat transmissions.

Can I get that last 25% with a Kerballed mission?

-Duxwing

[Claw]

Can I get that last 25% with a Kerballed mission?

-Duxwing

There are two main ways to get the science after you do an experiment. Either transmitting or recovery. Recovery can be done by delivering the sensor back to Kerbin's surface, or recovering via EVA (then process or returning to Kerbin). You can process via science lab, but none of that applies to one-way probes.

Science recovered by transmission varies by type. For example, the gravity scan transmits for 40% of the recovery science value. So if a recovered scan is worth 100 points, you will receive 40 points for transmitting the data. You can often transmit a second time for some small value (in the range of 1 science or less), but further transmissions get you none.

To answer your second question, it does not "destroy" follow on science. So if you go back and scan that 100 point science area, then recover the gravity scanner (back to Kerbin surface or via EVA as described), you get the remaining 60 points.

Some science (such as the goo canister) are single use, and once you transmit (or recover via EVA) you can't use that canister again. You can bring more than one canister though. Sci Jr is the same way. Those one-use experiments can be scrubbed and reused in a science lab (again, doesn't apply for one-way probes).

Most of the other sensors can be reused, but you are still limited by the transmission percentage. Also note, if you are recovering the sensor, then it can only store one reading but you get the full science.

EDIT: Yes, this changed in 0.23.

Edited February 25, 2014 by Claw

[DocMoriarty]

Also keep in mind that transmitting the data destroys the experiment. If you want to get research points for returning the experiment to Kerbin, you have to do the experiment again after having it transmitted. That also applies if processed by the mobile lab, which renders the lab pretty pointless for research purposes. It's only advantage is cleaning the experiments. I usually avoid transmitting (except for crew and EVA reports which transmit 100%) and save everything up in a cockpit for return to Kerbin. All cockpits seem to hold any number of experimental data.

[Claw]

Also keep in mind that transmitting the data destroys the experiment. If you want to get research points for returning the experiment to Kerbin, you have to do the experiment again after having it transmitted. That also applies if processed by the mobile lab, which renders the lab pretty pointless for research purposes. It's only advantage is cleaning the experiments. I usually avoid transmitting (except for crew and EVA reports which transmit 100%) and save everything up in a cockpit for return to Kerbin. All cockpits seem to hold any number of experimental data.

When saying "destroys the experiment," I feel I should clarify that it resets whatever science you had in that instrument. It does not destroy the device, except in the case of the Science Jr or the Mystery Goo containers.

But the essence is correct. If you are planning on returning to Kerbin, keep the data from your last experiment in the device (or pick it up via EVA) rather than transmitting it.

(Again, doesn't apply to one-way probes.)