Do you think in-space EVA will be useful at some point?

[butterknife]

I mean, right now it's only useful for moving around docked ships in space. But at some point, do you think they'll make it so you can use a kerbal to weld struts to reinforce docked ships? Or maybe repair solar panels that got destroyed? Maybe modify rocket gimbal ranges?

Thoughts?

[Sky_walker]

I think connecting fuel pipes between the ships would be reasonable and useful (refueling ships with no docking ports, it'd also add an option to include cheaper ports with no fuel connectors). Even if they'd have to add "pipe port" item or something alike.

Strouts would be weird - they are not a ropes. More like: metal pipes.

But yea - i'd really enjoy EVA being useful in space for something more than just EVA reports, moving kerbals between the ships and unfolding solar panels on dead ships (which noone does anyway thanks to reverts). (Ok, there's an infinite pushing too, but that's an exploit more than anything else)

Will they implement something into the game? I have no clue. They might get it done in 0.24.5 just as well as they might never get around it. That's a problem with squad: even they don't know what will be in a next patch. lol

[Shiv]

Kerbal Attachment System makes EVA in space much more useful. Can connect things with struts, put pipes on to transfer fuel, winches to reel stuff in. That sorta thing.

[technicalfool]

Hi.

You can already use EVA mode to re-pack parachutes and repair broken rover wheels. You wouldn't be the first person to want more though, and there's predictably already a mod out that gives you pretty much what you're asking for.

In fact "More EVA Activities" is in the Already Suggested List as a slated 1.0 feature. So, hopefully we should get something more to do with an EVA suit before full release.

Being it's on the already-suggested list, stuff like this normally gets closed. I'll leave this one open for now though <edit>as it's a discussion rather than a suggestion</edit>, in case any specific new ideas for EVA'd kerbals crop up in it.

HTH

Edited July 12, 2014 by technicalfool

[Sky_walker]

As an old good saying goes: There's a mod for everything.

[butterknife]

Ah, didn't realize it was an old topic. I must have missed that when I read the "don't suggest this" sticky.

I didn't realize it was a slated feature for 1.0. So that's pretty rad. Also, didn't know there was a mod for it already. That's also pretty rad.

I really dig all the changes they've made so far. The last time I played this game was like, .14 or something like that. It was way early on. I knew you could repack your chutes now, but I didn't know you could fix rover wheels. I like running around collecting samples, so I kinda feel like just having more ways to interact with the environment has encouraged me to explore more. Career mode has forced me to try newer, bigger things. So just finding new reasons to actually leave the rocket has made the game a lot more fun.

[r4pt0r]

i think it would be cool if landed and on EVA, a kerbal could pull a "suitcase" or box out of the sci-lab jr. , drag it some meters away, and deploy it

something that could only be done with EVA like these:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/Apollo_11_Lunar_Laser_Ranging_Experiment.jpg/1024px-Apollo_11_Lunar_Laser_Ranging_Experiment.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Aldrin_with_experiment.jpg

: edit better still would be to pull them from an "experiment locker" that attaches radially and partially clipped in like the ladders are. then they are taken out and deployed.

Edited July 12, 2014 by r4pt0r

[Red Iron Crown]

Being able to install struts and fuel lines between docked ships KAS-style would be an excellent addition IMO.

[optimusjamie]

I typically use it for transferring crew to landing modules or, in Career mode, retrieving science from the experiments before ditching them.

[technicalfool]

An old Münar power station made out of KSP Interstellar, KAS and I think KW Rocketry parts, though KW's not essential. The reactor, beamed power transceiver and four ISRUs handling thorium extraction and nuclear fuel reprocessing is on the left. An extra heatsink array and a maintenance rover full of parts is on the right. In the middle is a small probe to be loaded up with depletedFuel and shot off to make a new crater somewhere when full. It was all connected via EVAs carrying KAS pipes and ground pylons.

That's about where my AMD X4 640 starts dying on me, but if you have a speedy CPU, you should be able to build even bigger.

[Sandworm]

But what are EVAs good for in reality? People in spacesuits basically do three things: retrieve samples from science experiments, replace broken parts and pick up rocks. We have these already. More broken parts could be an option, but most of the parts fixed on EVAs are in systems that KSP doesn't model (life support, communications, electrical). Nobody goes anywhere near something as dangerous as a faulty engine or leaking tank. Both would preclude even opening the hatch.

[butterknife]

I love the idea of setting up experiments via EVA. Maybe something like "Delicate Goo Samples," or something similarly goofy.

[Sky_walker]

Well, in real life it's usually:

• Crew transfer
  
• Sticking the flags in or waving them (Chinese version)
  
• Gathering surface samples, analyzing surface
  
• Deploying scientific equipment (eg. laser mirrors on a surface of the moon
  
• Retrieving data
  
• Repairs
  
• Construction works (Russians were first to do things like welding in space), attaching / detaching equipment
  
• Deploying scientific equipment that cannot be deployed automatically / installing cameras
  
• Testing equipment (eg. space suits, maneuvering units, etc.)
  
• Transferring cargo / equipment / tanks
  
• Various inspections
  
• Driving
  
• Playing golf
  
• Toying with fire
  

Edited July 12, 2014 by Sky_walker