Moving Surface Samples

[ksabers]

I have a doubt, because until now I only performed return missions using only one ship.

Let's assume I land somewhere with a pod and I collect a surface sample.

Then I take off, I dock with another ship and I transfer my crew on this other ship. And it is this second module which actually returns to Kerbin.

Question: is the surface sample automatically transferred with the crew (and therefore accounted for science points when I return) or does it stay on its original lander (and it is therefore lost)?

The whole trick of "how much science you can collect and where it is stored" could be explained better, IMHO.

Thanks,

Giorgio

Edited February 13, 2015 by ksabers

[thadisjones]

Surface samples stay in the first pod that you return them to. They do not transfer automatically to a new command pod with the crew. You need to use a Kerbal to go EVA and collect the sample from the original pod in order to transfer it, just like you'd collect and store a result from any of the dedicated science instruments.

[Alshain]

The whole trick of "how much science you can collect and where it is stored" could be explained better, IMHO.

1. A command pod can store one expirament per-type, per situation, per-biome. So you can only store one EVA report above the Mun's midlands. If you change any one of those 3 criteria, you can store it alongside another, so the previous example can be store with one EVA report above the Mun's highlands and one EVA report from the surface of the Mun's midlands, and one Crew report from the surface of the Mun's midlands.

2. Crew reports are a little unique in that the command pod is both a science experiment and a science storage. You have to remove the crew report from the experiment and put it in the storage before you can do another report. This is no different than removing a temperature reading and putting it in the command pod before doing another temperature reading, except it's the same part.

3. Science Labs do not obey rule #1, they can store any number of anything. They still obey rule #2 however.

4. A Kerbal on EVA will automatically put expiriments on hand in the command pod when he enters (unless one exists and then you will be prompted to dump it)

Edited February 10, 2015 by Alshain

[ksabers]

Thank you for your answers! Now I have definitely understood more about science points.

Giorgio

[ezfox]

Surface samples stay in the first pod that you return them to. They do not transfer automatically to a new command pod with the crew. You need to use a Kerbal to go EVA and collect the sample from the original pod in order to transfer it, just like you'd collect and store a result from any of the dedicated science instruments.

Can you please describe how this works exactly ?

I built an Apollo like mission with Command Module and Munar Lander.

Wenn returning to the CM with the ML, i was not able to move the surface sample i had collected to the CM in order to bring it home (like with original Apollo landing, the ML was left behind and crashed on the Mun surface).

Is it possible to move the samples from the ML to the CM ?

Edited March 18, 2015 by ezfox

[Yakky]

Can you please describe how this works exactly ?

Is it possible to move the samples from the ML to the CM ?

Here's the specific procedure to follow: You send a Kerbal outside into space and have him grab onto the ML capsule. Then right-click on the capsule somewhere, and select "retrieve experiments" (I can't remember exact words but it's something like that). Then float your Kerbal over to the other capsule (CM) and grab onto it. Now right-click the CM capsule and select "store experiments".

BTW this is the same way you can collect data from experiment modules and transfer it to your command pod. For example, you can stand next to an exposed Mystery Goo container and right-click it to collect the data. Then you can deposit the data in a command pod. This saves having to bring the Mystery Goo container home with you.

You don't actually need to be grasping the capsule/object. However, you have to be in close proximity. If your Kerbonaut is too far away from the capsule in question, he won't be able to reach the capsule with his arms and the options won't be available when you right-click on the capsule.

Hope this helps.

Edited March 17, 2015 by Yakky

[LordFerret]

Being the Mobile Processing Lab (MPL-LG-2) does not follow 'rule #1' ... I'm thinking now that I can fly a lander back and forth from the surface to my station (where I have an MPL-LG-2), and have the pilot run all the science over to the lab without having it processed (use for storage only), and then when all done running surface missions I can bring the lab back home for 100% science on everything collected. Yes? No?

[Randazzo]

Being the Mobile Processing Lab (MPL-LG-2) does not follow 'rule #1' ... I'm thinking now that I can fly a lander back and forth from the surface to my station (where I have an MPL-LG-2), and have the pilot run all the science over to the lab without having it processed (use for storage only), and then when all done running surface missions I can bring the lab back home for 100% science on everything collected. Yes? No?

Assuming your lab lands safely and is recovered intact, yes.

Alternatively you could just leave the station where it is, and collect the data with an EVA and bring it back on your return vessel.

Edited March 17, 2015 by Randazzo

[ezfox]

Here's the specific procedure to follow: You send a Kerbal outside into space and have him grab onto the ML capsule. Then right-click on the capsule somewhere, and select "retrieve experiments" (I can't remember exact words but it's something like that). Then float your Kerbal over to the other capsule (CM) and grab onto it. Now right-click the CM capsule and select "store experiments".

BTW this is the same way you can collect data from experiment modules and transfer it to your command pod. For example, you can stand next to an exposed Mystery Goo container and right-click it to collect the data. Then you can deposit the data in a command pod. This saves having to bring the Mystery Goo container home with you.

You don't actually need to be grasping the capsule/object. However, you have to be in close proximity. If your Kerbonaut is too far away from the capsule in question, he won't be able to reach the capsule with his arms and the options won't be available when you right-click on the capsule.

Hope this helps.

Tried this out now and worked like a charm.

Thank you very much for the explanation !

[LordFerret]

Assuming your lab lands safely and is recovered intact, yes.

Alternatively you could just leave the station where it is, and collect the data with an EVA and bring it back on your return vessel.

Yes, done that! Not a problem ... chutes and lander legs.

[Andrey.gr]

Please make it clear how to collect surface samples from different biomes? Will the next scheme work? Surface SciLab (base), rover will collect surface samples from different biomes and bring back to Base Lab Module. After 3-4-5 different biome collected samples, scilab module will go to the planet orbit, dock with another ship, this ship will transport module with samples to Kerbin orbit, where it will dock with orbiter which will bring the module back to Kerbin?

Edited October 19, 2017 by Andrey.gr
grammar

[Vanamonde]

That would work, @Andrey.gr, but is not as practical as it sounds. Biomes are large distances apart, as a rule, and you would spend a great deal of time driving from one to another even on small worlds like Minmus. 

[Spricigo]

@Andrey.gr your mission should work. You just need a way to transfer the science between the modules holdings it (e.g. an astronaut in EVA using [take data] and [store data]

Less likely us to get a reply from those people that posted in the thread years ago.

[mystik]

Just do a small ship with ISRU to go from biome to biome. I use a space plane for this. Once it is done it returns to the main ship and travels to other places.

[Tyko]

There's a part called an Experimental Storage Unit (ESU). This can collect science from any attached parts using the right-click "Collect All" command. You can attach these to any craft. For example, you could have one on your rover/biome hopper to hold all of the surface samples as you move around the surface. If you're using a different craft to return the samples to Kerbin you can just put another ESU on your return craft. Dock your biome hopper to the return craft. Do the "Collect All" command from the ESU on the return craft - this transfers all the samples from the ESU on the hopper to the ESU on the return craft. Fly home and SCIENCE!!! 

Edited October 20, 2017 by Tyko