FAQ - notthebobo/USI-LS GitHub Wiki

Frequently asked questions:

I have a an issue and I need help.

Reading the forum page for USI Life Support may provide some answers.

For best results, follow these steps:

  • Check the wiki to see if it answers your question. If the mod seems to be displaying different behavior than the wiki would suggest, check the release notes to see if anything changed recently - the wiki takes time to update.
  • Make sure that your mod is up to date and installed correctly. Don't install any USI mods via CKAN as it has been known to install mods incorrectly. Install them manually.
  • If your question is about interaction with another mod, be sure to check that mod's documentation (including its forum) as there are frequently known issues that have nothing to do with USI. Check the KIS forum for KIS questions, ask the CKAN people about CKAN issues, etc.
  • If you still have issues or questions, you can post them to the forum. Be clear, concise, and complete in your description of the problem. Include screenshots of the vessel in question, and your GameData folder to verify that you have installed the mod correctly.
  • If you have found a new issue, you will be asked to log a Github issue. This will help RoverDude keep track of what needs to be addressed. Include at least a brief description of the issue and a link to the forum post/discussion.

10.8kg of Supplies per day seems like a lot - what's the deal?

Supplies represent all of the food, oxygen, and water that Kerbals consume. Most of the mass is water - this represents not just drinking water but also water used for hygiene, food preparation, etc.

By default, no Supplies are recycled - this is most suitable for short missions (as with the real-world Gemini program.) For long-duration missions (like the real-world International Space Station) you can include recyclers (e.g. the science lab) and even converters (greenhouses) to extend the effectiveness of your Supplies.

In addition, USI-LS includes a 15 Kerbin-day "grace period" between Supplies depletion and its consequences - this means you can run brief missions to the Mun and even Minmus without any Supplies at all (as long as you don't dawdle.)

For comparison, here's a NASA statement about water use on the ISS:

The ECLSS Water Recycling System (WRS), developed at the MSFC, will reclaim waste waters from the Space Shuttle's fuel cells, from urine, from oral hygiene and hand washing, and by condensing humidity from the air. Without such careful recycling 40,000 pounds per year of water from Earth would be required to resupply a minimum of four crew members for the life of the station.

(Source: Water on the Space Spation)

That calculates to about 1.1 pound an hour, or 0.5kg. Which is 12kg per day of just water - food, clothing, and everything else in Supplies not included.

Aren't interplanetary missions nearly impossible now that I have to carry all of these Supplies?

No. USI-LS includes recyclers and converters to extend your Supplies and greatly reduce the life support mass you have to transport. See the Example page.

I installed via CKAN and now something is messed up - help!

Don't install any USI mods via CKAN as it has been known to install mods incorrectly. Install them manually.

I saw a bunch of other parts for USI-LS like hab modules and space station parts. These aren't included in the install. Where are they?

Most likely they are from one RoverDude's other mods, MKS which is intended to work closely with USI-LS. There are other mods that work with USI-LS. Check around!