Asteroid detection far from Kerbin

[jfull]

So, it seems that in the coming update, we will only be able to detect and track Asteroids with orbits that take them close to Kerbin. I assume this means that the game simply won't generate asteroids anywhere else in the solar system.

What I am suggesting is that, eventually, asteroid generation be added to the rest of the solar system. However, the only way to detect these distant objects would be to have a spacecraft or probe in the area equipped with some kind of telescope or radar part.

To take this a step further, this system could also be used to detect minor moons around other planets. For example, all of Jool's current moons would be known at the start of the game because they can be seen from observatories on Kerbin. However, sending a probe with the detector part into orbit of Jool would allow you to discover several asteroid-sized moonlets. This would be just like how the Voyager probes and subsequent missions revealed many new moons around the gas giants that had never been seen from Earth.

Of course, Squad already has plans for the next few updates, but this would be a very interesting feature to add eventually.

Edit: This part could be the mobile asteroid/moonlet detector:

I believe this was actually a part made by Squad while they were considering adding a resource system to the game. It would have been a long range detector for resources on a planet's surface. I suggest that it could now be repurposed as a radar for asteroid detection and tracking.

Edited March 24, 2014 by jfull

[MysticPing]

This sounds like a good idea! Although most people probably want it and i can already se it coming out one day