Science - KSP-RO/RP-1 GitHub Wiki
In RP-1, science operations are different than in stock KSP and in older versions of RP-0. Instead of all experiments bringing the full amount of available science, there are multiple parts that return different percentages of the science, based on technology. This tiered system is a very different way to play the game, and it encourages players to send multiple missions to different planetary bodies and biomes to gather all the science available.
Experiments can be divided up into tiers of different science disciplines. Some experiments have only one tier where a single part will provide the full amount of science available for that experiment. Others will have multiple tiers in which different parts can gather only a percentage of the full science for that experiment. That percentage is listed below as 'Science Possible'. Of that, the percentage that can be transmitted is listed as 'Transmission Capability'.
For example, the experiment 'Cosmic Ray Science' has 3 science total, and there are two tiers. Tier 1 is performed with the part 'Geiger-Muller Counter' and can gain only 37.5% of 3, or 1.125 science, which can all be transmitted. Tier 2 is performed with the part 'Scintillation Counter Cosmic Ray Telescope', and can gain the full 100%, or 3 Science, which can all be transmitted.
SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
THIS LIST IS UP TO DATE AS OF 2019-Mar-16 MASTER
REMEMBER: ALL SURFACE EXPERIMENTS ON EARTH ARE ~0 SCIENCE
- Biome means the experiment may be performed in each Biome for that Situation.
- Global means it may be performed only once in that Situation.
- — means it cannot be performed in that Situation.
Astronaut Report | Bio Sample | Cosmic Ray | Crew Report | EVA Report | Imaging Spectrometry | IR Radiometry | Magnetic Scan | Mass Spectrometry | Micrometeorite Detection | Orbital Perturbation | Photography | Pressure Scan | RPWS | SCANSat | Station Science (Early | Surface Sample | Telemetry Analysis | Temperature Scan | Visible Imaging
Astronaut Report
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The Astronaut Report is available on all legitimate crewed space capsules (NB not aircraft cabins/cockpits) and represents information relayed by the crew to the ground.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biome | Biome | — | — | Biome | Global |
Total Science: 10
Tiers: 1
Part Information
Name: All Crewed Capsules
Tech: Starting Parts
Science Possible: 100% (10)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Biological Sample
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The Biological Sample represents the many different types of organisms that have been sent to space to be studied.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global | — | — | Global | Global | Global |
Total Science: 10
Tiers: 1
Part Information
Name: Biological Sample Capsule
Tech: Starting Parts
Science Possible: 100% (10)
Transmission Capability: 25%
Cosmic Ray Science
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Cosmic Ray Science is based on gathering information about radiation. This experiment has two tiers (as of 2019-Mar-16) and will be expanded upon in the future to include more tiers.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biome | — | — | Biome | Biome | Global |
Total Science: 3
Tiers: 2
Part Information - Tier 1
Name: Geiger-Muller Counter
Tech: Satellite Era Science
Science Possible: 37.5% (1.125)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 2
Name: Scintillation Counter Cosmic Ray Telescope
Tech: Interplanetary Era Science
Science Possible: 100% (3)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Crew Report
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The Crew Report is available on all crewed vessels and represents the information relayed by the crew to the ground. New experiments will be added in the future to the Advanced Capsules and Space Stations that will expand this area of science.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biome | Biome | Biome | Biome | Biome | Global |
Total Science: 3
Tiers: 1
Part Information
Name: All Crewed Capsules
Tech: Starting Parts
Science Possible: 100% (3)
Transmission Capability: 100%
EVA Report
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The EVA Report is completed by any crew. It represents the Extra Vehicular activities that take space outside of the spacecraft.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biome | Biome | — | — | Global | Global |
Total Science: 24
Tiers: 1
Part Information
Name: All Crew
Tech:
Science Possible: 100% (24)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Imaging Spectrometry
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Imaging Spectrometry is a discipline that takes images in the non-visible light wavelengths such as Ultraviolet and Infrared.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — | Biome | Biome |
Total Science: 6
Tiers: 4
Part Information - Tier 1
Name: Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer (IRIS)
Tech: Interplanetary Era Science
Science Possible: 25% (1.25)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 2
Name: Ultraviolet Spectrometer
Tech: Deep Space Science Experiments
Science Possible: 50% (3)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 3
Name: Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS)
Tech: Exploration Era Science
Science Possible: 75% (4.5)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 4
Name: Advanced Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (AIMS)
Tech: Sample Return Science Experiments
Science Possible: 100% (6)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Infrared Radiometry
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Infrared Radiometry measures the thermal emissions and temperatures.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — | Biome | Biome |
Total Science: 6
Tiers: 4
Part Information - Tier 1
Name: Infrared Radiometer
Tech: Early Human Spaceflight Era Science
Science Possible: 25% (1.25)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 2
Name: High-Resolution Infrared Radiometer
Tech: Interplanetary Era Science
Science Possible: 50% (3)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 3
Name: Two-Channel Infrared Radiometer
Tech: Deep Space Science Experiments
Science Possible: 75% (4.5)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 4
Name: Pressure Modulated Infrared Radiometer (PMIRR)
Tech: Sample Return Science Experiments
Science Possible: 100% (6)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Magnetic Scan
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Magnetic Scanning is used to understand the magnetic fields that exist around planetary bodies.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biome | — | — | — | Biome | Global |
Total Science: 5
Tiers: 3
Part Information - Tier 1
Name: Early Magnetometer Boom
Tech: Satellite Era Science
Science Possible: 30% (1.5)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 2
Name: Helium Magnetometer Boom
Tech: Interplanetary Era Science
Science Possible: 60% (3)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 3
Name: Fluxgate Magnetometer Boom
Tech: Deep Space Science Experiments
Science Possible: 100% (5)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Mass Spectrometry
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Mass Spectrometry is an analytical technique that ionizes chemical species and sorts the ions based on theer mass-to-charge ratio. This allows scientists to determine the elements present.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biome | — | — | Biome | Biome | Global |
Total Science: 6
Tiers: 4
Part Information - Tier 1
Name: Ion Mass Spectrometer
Tech: Early Science
Science Possible: 25% (1.5)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 2
Name: Magnetic Ion-Mass Spectrometer
Tech: Interplanetary Era Science
Science Possible: 50% (3.0)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 3
Name: Quadropole Mass Spectrometer
Tech: Lunar Exploration Era Science
Science Possible: 75% (4.5)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 4
Name: Gas-Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS)
Tech: Deep Space Science Experiments
Science Possible: 100% (6)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Micrometeorite Detection
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Micrometeorite Detection is used to understand the speed, composition and frequency of micrometeorites.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global* | — | — | — | Global | Global |
*Can only be run on the surface in a vacuum
Total Science: 7
Tiers: 1
Part Information
Name: Micrometeorite Detector
Tech: Satellite Era Science
Science Possible: 100% (7.0)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Orbital Perturbation Experiment
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Orbital Perturbation effects the orbits of spacecrafts, planets and even stars.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — | Biome | Biome |
Total Science: 3
Tiers: 1
Part Information
Name: Orbital Perturbation Experiment
Tech: Early Human Spacefliht Era Science
Science Possible: 100% (3.0)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Photography
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Film Cameras have been used since the first days of spaceflight to get images of Earth. This experiment is based on Earth Observation Satellites.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biome | — | Biome | Biome | Biome | — |
Total Science: 20
Tiers: 4
Part Information - Tier 1
Name: Early Film Camera
Tech: Starting Parts
Science Possible: 25% (5.0)
Transmission Capability: 0% (Must return, based on Sounding Rocket Technology)
Part Information - Tier 2
Name: Improved Film Camera
Tech: Satellite Era Science
Science Possible: 37.5% (7.5)
Transmission Capability: 12.5% (0.9375)
Part Information - Tier 3
Name: High Resolution Film Camera
Tech: Surface Science
Science Possible: 75% (15.0)
Transmission Capability: 50% (7.5)
Part Information - Tier 4
Name: Ultra Resolution Digital Imaging Camera
Tech: Deep Space Science Experiments
Science Possible: 100% (20)
Transmission Capability: 50% (20)
Pressure Scan
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The Pressure Scan measures the air pressure.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biome | — | Biome | Global | Global | Global |
Total Science: 3
Tiers: 1
Part Information
Name: Barometer
Tech: Starting Parts
Science Possible: 100% (3.0)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Radio and Plasma Wave Science
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Radio and Plasma Wave Science instruments measure the electrostatic and electromagnetic fields generated by the interaction of planetary magnetospheres and the interplanetary plasma medium.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global* | — | — | — | Global | Global |
*Can only be run on the surface in a vacuum
Total Science: 50
Tiers: 3
Part Information - Tier 1
Name: Plasma Wave Detector
Tech: Lunar Exploration Era Science
Science Possible: 37.5% (18.75)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 2
Name: Solar Wind Plasma Analyzer
Tech: Deep Space Science Experiments
Science Possible: 62.5% (31.25)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 3
Name: Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS)
Tech: Sample Return Science Experiments
Science Possible: 100% (50.0)
Transmission Capability: 100%
SCANsat
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The following SCANsat experiments have increased Science values:
Altimetry LoRes, Total Science: 24
Altimetry HiRes, Total Science: 48
Biome Anomaly, Total Science: 48
Station Science (Early)
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The early space station has a lab in which experiments can be performed.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biome | Biome | — | — | Biome | Biome |
Total Science: 30
Tiers: 1
Part Information
Name: Station Science Module (Early)
Tech: Space Station Prototypes
Science Possible: 100%
Transmission Capability: 100%
Surface Sample
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The Surface Sample is completed by any crew and also by one part. It represents the samples that are analyzed on site, or returned to Earth from other planetary bodies.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biome | — | — | — | — | — |
Total Science: 24
Tiers: 1
Part Information
Name: All Crew
Tech:
Science Possible: 100%
Transmission Capability: 25% (6.0)
Name: Soil Mechanics Surface Sampler
Tech: Interplanetary Era Science
Science Possible: 100% (24.0)
Transmission Capability: 25% (6.0)
Telemetry Analysis
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The Telemetry Analysis is available on all craft that can be controlled. It represents the signals sent to and from spacecraft to determine location, health and other parameters.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biome | Biome | Biome | Biome | Biome | Global |
Total Science: 2
Tiers: 1
Part Information
Name: All Craft
Tech: Starting Parts
Science Possible: 100%
Transmission Capability: 100%
Temperature Scan
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The Temperature Scan is a very simple experiment that returns the temperature of the location where the spacecraft is.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biome | Biome | Biome | Biome | Global | Global |
Total Science: 3
Tiers: 1
Part Information
Name: Thermometer
Tech: Starting Parts
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100%
Visible Imaging
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Almost all of the iconic images we have of space were taken by visible imaging devices. These devices range from the earliest images sent back from Luna 3 up to the high quality images received from Juno.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biome | — | — | Biome | Biome | Global |
Total Science: 12
Tiers: 5
Part Information - Tier 1
Name: Early Television Camera
Tech: Satellite Era Science
Science Possible: 10% (1.2)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 2
Name: Basic TV Camera
Tech: Interplanetary Era Science
Science Possible: 25% (3.0)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 3
Name: Improved TV Camera
Tech: Deep Space Science Experiments
Science Possible: 50% (6.0)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 4
Name: Advanced Visible Imaging Device
Tech: Exploration Era Science
Science Possible: 75% (9.0)
Transmission Capability: 100%
Part Information - Tier 5
Name: High Resolution Imaging Device
Tech: Advanced Science Experiments
Science Possible: 100% (12.0)
Transmission Capability: 100%