Science question

[Tuck00]

I have been collecting Minmus science. I think I read somewhere that if you visit several bodies you get a value multiplied to your science. If I am doing research on Minmus should I try to hit the Mun on the way back every time? Do I need to do a full orbit, or just get in its gravity for a moment?

Thanks Guys

Tuck

Edited March 3, 2014 by Tuck00

[Kasuha]

It's irrelevant how you get to acquiring those science points, the amount of science you get is the same. The multiplier only means you get more science points for doing the same measurement (e.g. temperature reading) on less accessible bodies.

[Dave Kerbin]

The multiplier is specifically for the body/biome you are on.

For example crew reports have a base science value of 5. In kerbal orbit where the multiplier is exactly 1x you'll recieve 5 science for doing a crew report. The Mun's orbit has a better multiplier, 3x. That means that any experiment done in Mun orbit will give 3 times the experiment's base science, so a crew report taken from low or high Mun orbit is worth 15 science points. The surface of the Mun is even better, experiment's done there are valued at 4x. And if you fly all the way to Tylo the experiments done on its surface will be worth 11x their base value (55 science for a crew report!)

[Starstrider42]

You may be thinking of the extra research you get for recovering a craft that visited multiple bodies. This is completely separate (and usually much lower than) the research you get for actually doing experiments. So I'd say don't bother.

[capi3101]

This has proven to be remarkably useful of late for gathering science. Basically Geschosskopf's strategy involves hauling multiple experiments (in particular the ones that really pay out well). He goes over design of a science package that gets returned to Kerbin every time.

As far as a "unlock this technology first" schema - I go with getting all the techs on Tier 3 first (and everything preceeding it).

I.e.:

Starting Tech

Basic Rocketry

General Rocketry

Stability

Survivability

General Construction

Science Tech

Flight Control

Advanced Rocketry

(Get all of these, even though arguably you don't really "need" Flight Control or Advanced Rocketry, simply because these are usually prerequisites for everything else and they're relatively cheap).

Then go for:

Electrics

Fuel Systems

Advanced Electrics

Advanced Exploration

Electronics

Advanced Science Technology

(this will unlock all the Science parts except for the thermometer, which you can pick up with Space Exploration - pick that one up at your discretion)

Then go for:

Heavy Rocketry

Advanced Construction

Heavier Rocketery

Specialized Control

Nuclear Propulsion

(basically, once you've got all the instruments, make a beeline for nuclear rockets)

From there, its whatever you'd like to do.

Edited March 3, 2014 by capi3101

[Tuck00]

Thanks a lot guys ,Starstrider that is exactly what I was thinking. Capi the guide you posted was a nice help also. I have been doing 3 each Science Jr and Goos, will have to upgrade to 4.