Science: how does it work?

[Brainlord Mesomorph]

I understand the difference between transmitting science and returning it. I understand that processing it in the lab can increase the value of transmitting it (does it increase the value of returning it?)

What I don’t understand is something I read about labs being able to extract data from experiments, and reset them?

Something about Kerbals being able to extract data from experiments and store them in capsules?

All I seem to be able to do is transmit, keep data, reset, or process in lab.

How do I do this other stuff?

Also: If a given experiment produces so many points of science value in a particular “Biome†and I get 20% of the value for transmitting, does that mean if I transmit the experiment 5 times in a row I get all of the points? (and now there’s no point in returning an experiment from that location?)

Or are there a separate points for transmitting and separate points for returning?

Thanks!

Edited December 7, 2014 by Brainlord Mesomorph

[Pecan]

Lots of questions ...

No, the lab doesn't increase the value of returning science (it's already 100% if returned).

EVA a Kerbal, fly next to science part, right-click part to recover data and other options that may be available for any particular item (fix broken wheel, etc.).

When the Kerbal re-boards a command-pod/lab the experiements are all collected in there.

A used goo/science junior can't be reset without the support of a lab - again, right-click the part in question.

[Superfluous J]

One quick thing. To reset your goos and jrs, you don't right click them. Remove the science from them (Either with an EVA'd Kerbal or by transmitting) and then you right click the crewed lab and select "clean experiements."

[Brainlord Mesomorph]

I have to EVA to it! OK!

Are there limits to how much science a Kerbal/Lab/capsule can carry?

[Starman4308]

I have to EVA to it! OK!

Are there limits to how much science a Kerbal/Lab/capsule can carry?

Kerbals and capsules can only carry one of each experiment: you can have EVA reports for three different biomes, but you can't have more than one EVA report for the same biome.

Mobile labs can carry infinite everything, so if you're willing to haul along a mobile lab and provisions to get it home, you can truck back a lot of science.

[Brainlord Mesomorph]

What about:

Also: If a given experiment produces so many points of science value in a particular “Biome†and I get 20% of the value for transmitting, does that mean if I transmit the experiment 5 times in a row I get all of the points? (and now there’s no point in returning an experiment from that location?)

[Norpo]

What about:

Also: If a given experiment produces so many points of science value in a particular “Biome†and I get 20% of the value for transmitting, does that mean if I transmit the experiment 5 times in a row I get all of the points? (and now there’s no point in returning an experiment from that location?)

No, that's 20% OVERALL (I think). If you transmit a second time, for most experiments you'll find that the science for transmitting gets extremely small, around 1% or so. Only when it reads 100% (For EVA reports and Crew reports, as far as I know), will you get full science for transmitting. Eventually (From memory, around the third time), it'll just give you 0.0 science for transmitting, even if you still get science for recovery. You do get 100% for EVA reports and Crew reports (but not Surface samples), though.

I might be wrong, as I haven't played career/science in a while, though.

[Claw]

Kerbals and capsules can only carry one of each experiment: you can have EVA reports for three different biomes, but you can't have more than one EVA report for the same biome...

Point of clarification. Your kerbals can also carry infinite everything when they are collecting experiments with the exception of EVA reports. That's because they generate the EVA report themselves.

They can, however, store multiple copies of any other science from the same biome and conditions. The problem comes in when you are carrying multiple copies and you try to enter a capsule. The capsule will throw a warning dialogue telling you that some science will be dumped. That's because the capsule itself can only store one copy of a science experiment under a given biome and conditions.

No, that's 20% OVERALL (I think). ...I might be wrong, as I haven't played career/science in a while, though.

You are indeed correct. Science transmission caps out pretty quickly.

Cheers,

~Claw