Easy money with ExtraPlanetary Launchpads

[Kerba Fett]

I was doing some testing to make sure I understood how EPL works and discovered that you can use it to generate huge amounts of cash right at the KSC.

You start with a probe core or capsule and add an EPL foundry. Connect some storage tanks for ore and metal and right click on the ore tanks and fill them. Add a power source and you're done.

Now you just launch and while you're sitting on the launchpad or runway, refine all that ore into metal the recover the vessel.

While you had to pay for the ore, metal is much more valuable so you make a nice profit every time you do it.

As your cash increases you can afford to launch ever bigger forges with more storage tanks.

It's a cheat, but can help recover from a shortage of cash.

[The Destroyer]

Not a cheat! You're starting Kerbal Refinement simulator!

[TruePikachu]

It is possible to go even further if you have Karbonite installed; don't even spend funds on the ore. (This doesn't apply to Kethane as much because resources aren't unlimited there). Another "exploit" for EL is to make parts from RocketParts (which you can further refine), and recover those. I have built huge rovers for mining materials in the past, it should be trivial to equip such a rover with a means of producing smaller expensive rovers which can be driven onto the runway and recovered for funds.

As has been said, however, there is still a logical in-universe explanation for the gains. IRL mining/refining is expensive, but Kethane/Karbonite put pretty much all the expense as power, which can be generated for no resource expense with stock parts. As a result, if you can afford the initial investment, you are pretty much set for life.

[magnemoe]

It is possible to go even further if you have Karbonite installed; don't even spend funds on the ore. (This doesn't apply to Kethane as much because resources aren't unlimited there). Another "exploit" for EL is to make parts from RocketParts (which you can further refine), and recover those. I have built huge rovers for mining materials in the past, it should be trivial to equip such a rover with a means of producing smaller expensive rovers which can be driven onto the runway and recovered for funds.

As has been said, however, there is still a logical in-universe explanation for the gains. IRL mining/refining is expensive, but Kethane/Karbonite put pretty much all the expense as power, which can be generated for no resource expense with stock parts. As a result, if you can afford the initial investment, you are pretty much set for life.

To cheat real hard make an probe lander with as many gravity sensors you can handle with not much lag. Easy to make 3-5 million from each.

Was a bit surprised in the start as I thought I had to pay for the construction, yes if would not have to pay for launch so its an good investment anyway to build at Minmus.

Having EL as part of an base on another planet also let you do the tests around other bodies fast.

[theend3r]

Why don't you just edit your save then?