Tech Level 4, Where should I go?

[Pyromaniacal]

I'm not really good at this game. I frequently over-engineer, and underestimate where I can go. I've unlocked through tech level 4, and the Heavier Rocketry node, as well as the node with the 3 man capsule. I use KW Rocketry, Infernal Robotics, FAR, Kerbal Engineer, and Thunder Aerospace TAC Life support.

Where should I go? I have only left the Kerbin SOI twice, and these were short bunny hops to get a shot of Kerbol Orbit Science. The whole system is up for grabs, but I don't know which first. Any suggestions?

Edited April 6, 2014 by Pyromaniacal

[Specialist290]

Duna is the popular first choice, since it's relatively easy to get there and back without too much more effort than it would normally take to reach the Mun. If you can land on and return from the Mun with a given design, you can probably at least reach, orbit, and return from Duna (though you'll probably have to add a bit of extra "oomph" for the return trip if you also do a landing).

Eve is also fairly easy to reach at least, but if you put someone on the surface, don't expect to get them back any time soon without some serious engineering. Flyby / orbit should certainly be doable, though, as should a landing on Gilly.

[Pyromaniacal]

Ok, I'll probably try for Duna first. I keep watching videos on Youtube of guys like Harv and Scott Manley assembling huge missions and it gets kinda intimidating.

I'll also look in on that tutorial link in your sig, see what I can pick up.

[GoatRider]

You can finish up the entire tech tree by sciencing all the biomes on Mun and Minmus. First thing you should research is all the science instrument nodes, which are mostly on the bottom branch.

[jwenting]

Ike and Gilly are relatively easy return missions. Duna and Eve, one way probes transmitting data get you some nice juicy science as well.

[capi3101]

Geschosskopf has a pretty good tutorial: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/62368-0-23-Tutorial-Mission-Planning-and-Ship-Design-for-SCIENCE%21

Long and the short of it is to shoot for Ike and Gilly. If you time it correctly and the Kraken doesn't strike, you can do both at nearly the same time.

I'd suggest that after you've got nuclear rockets, you should make unlocking all of the science parts a priority before you head out. Minmus is a good place to grind out for Science - experiments there are worth more than they are on Mun.

[Kryxal]

You're not kidding ... I did a series of missions on the Mun, then a BIG mission to Minimus that gave 6k science (all parts and I left a lab in orbit to re-use the lander).

[KvickFlygarn87]

You can finish up the entire tech tree by sciencing all the biomes on Mun and Minmus. First thing you should research is all the science instrument nodes, which are mostly on the bottom branch.

That's not what he asked, just saying.

[Starstrider42]

Go for Minmus. It's by far the easiest target, especially if you want to land.

[Pyromaniacal]

Thank you all for the help and suggestions, the visits to the moons are also welcome because, er... I didn't notice I hadn't been there yet. I was still thinking about the last career mode I started that I restarted. Oops...

- - - Updated - - -

How do I mark this as answered?

[Starstrider42]

Edit your first post, then "Go advanced".

[GoatRider]

I'm just starting a new career, and I'm at about that point. I didn't have enough tech to land on Mun safely, but I could get there with enough dV to make a polar orbit. Over half a munth I was able to do an EVA report over every Biome. Between that and the 2 Sci Jrs and 2 Goo containers, I got 643 Science! (High and Low over Mun for both)

[LethalDose]

I'm just starting a new career, and I'm at about that point. I didn't have enough tech to land on Mun safely, but I could get there with enough dV to make a polar orbit. Over half a munth I was able to do an EVA report over every Biome. Between that and the 2 Sci Jrs and 2 Goo containers, I got 643 Science! (High and Low over Mun for both)

Polar orbits are great for collecting EVA reports over bodies with biomes, and it's a method I've never seen recommended in beginner tutorials.

Also, I love "Munth", totally stealing that.

[GoatRider]

Polar orbits are great for collecting EVA reports over bodies with biomes, and it's a method I've never seen recommended in beginner tutorials.

Also, I love "Munth", totally stealing that.

It helps to do it with the orbit over the dawn/dusk line, so you can see the ground all the way around. So, if you're doing Kerbin, take off at sunrise and go north.

[GoatRider]

I just did the same thing on Minmus, for about 700 Science!