Science
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.
The experiments are broken up into different science disciplines. Some of these experiments only have one tier, and they will provide the full amount of science available for that experiment. Other experiments will have multiple tiers of parts that can gather only a percentage of the full science available.
Bio Sample | Cosmic Ray | Crew Report | EVA Report | Imaging Spectrometry | IR Radiometry | Magnetic Scan | Mass Spectrometry | Micrometeorite Detection | Orbital Perturbation | Photography | Pressure Scan | RPWS | Surface Sample | Telemetry Analysis | Temperature Scan | Visible Imaging
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The Biological Sample represents the many different types of organisms that have been sent to space to study.
| Surface (Landed) | Surface (Splashed) | Flying (Low) | Flying (High) | Space (Low) | Space (High) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biome | Biome | Global | Global | Global | Global |
Total Science: 10
Tiers: 1
Name: Biological Sample Capsule
Tech: Start
Transmission Capability: 25%
Total Science Possible: 100%
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Cosmic Ray Science is based on gathering information on radiation. This experiment 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 | Biome | Biome | Global |
Total Science: 7
Tiers: 1
Name: Geiger-Muller Counter
Tech: Early Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100%
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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: 5
Tiers: 1
Name: All Crewed Capsules
Tech: Start
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100%
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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: 40
Tiers: 1
Name: All Crew
Tech: First Astronaut Complex Upgrade
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100%
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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: 10
Tiers: 4
Tier 1
Name: Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer (IRIS)
Tech: Interplanetary Era Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 25% (2.5)
Tier 2
Name: Ultraviolet Spectrometer
Tech: Deep Space Science Experiments
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 50% (5.0)
Tier 3
Name: Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS)
Tech: Exploration Era Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 75% (7.5)
Tier 4
Name: Advanced Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (AIMS)
Tech: Sample Return Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100% (10)
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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: 10
Tiers: 4
Tier 1
Name: Infrared Radiometer
Tech: Early Human Spaceflight Era Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 25% (2.5)
Tier 2
Name: High-Resolution Infrared Radiometer
Tech: Interplanetary Era Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 50% (5.0)
Tier 3
Name: Two-Channel Infrared Radiometer
Tech: Deep Space Science Experiments
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 75% (7.5)
Tier 4
Name: Pressure Modulated Infrared Radiometer (PMIRR)
Tech: Sample Return Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100% (10)
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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: 10
Tiers: 3
Tier 1
Name: Early Magnetometer Boom
Tech: Satellite Era Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 30% (3.0)
Tier 2
Name: Helium Magnetometer Boom
Tech: Interplanetary Era Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 60% (6.0)
Tier 3
Name: Fluxgate Magnetometer Boom
Tech: Deep Space Science Experiments
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100% (10.0)
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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 | Biome | Global |
Total Science: 10
Tiers: 4
Tier 1
Name: Ion Mass Spectrometer
Tech: Post-War Avionics
Transmission Capability: 0% (Must return, based on Sounding Rocket Technology)
Total Science Possible: 25% (2.5)
Tier 2
Name: Magnetic Ion-Mass Spectrometer
Tech: Interplanetary Era Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 50% (5.0)
Tier 3
Name: Quadropole Mass Spectrometer
Tech: Lunar Exploration Era Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 75% (7.5)
Tier 4
Name: Gas-Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS)
Tech: Deep Space Science Experiments
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100% (10)
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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
Name: Micrometeorite Detector
Tech: Satellite Era Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100% (7.0)
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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: 5
Tiers: 1
Name: Orbital Perturbation Experiment
Tech: Satellite Era Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100% (5.0)
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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: 10
Tiers: 4
Tier 1
Name: Early Film Camera
Tech: Start
Transmission Capability: 0% (Must return, based on Sounding Rocket Technology)
Total Science Possible: 20% (2.0)
Tier 2
Name: Improved Film Camera
Tech: Satellite Era Science
Transmission Capability: 12.5% (of total Photography science)
Total Science Possible: 50% (5.0)
Tier 3
Name: High Resolution Film Camera
Tech: Surface Science
Transmission Capability: 50%
Total Science Possible: 100% (10.0)
Tier 4
Name: Ultra Resolution Digital Imaging Camera
Tech: Deep Space Science Experiments
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100% (10)
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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 | Biome | Biome | Global | Global |
Total Science: 5
Tiers: 1
Name: Barometer
Tech: Start
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100% (5.0)
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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: 10
Tiers: 3
Tier 1
Name: Plasma Wave Detector
Tech: Lunar Exploration Era Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 30% (3.0)
Tier 2
Name: Solar Wind Plasma Analyzer
Tech: Deep Space Science Experiments
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 60% (6.0)
Tier 3
Name: Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS)
Tech: Sample Return Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100% (10.0)
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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: 40
Tiers: 1
Name: All Crew
Tech: Reasearch & Development Upgrade
Transmission Capability: 25%
Total Science Possible: 100%
Name: Soil Mechanics Surface Sampler
Tech: Interplanetary Era Science
Transmission Capability: 25%
Total Science Possible: 50%
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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: 3
Tiers: 1
Name: All Craft
Tech: Start
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100%
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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: 5
Tiers: 1
Name: Thermometer
Tech: Start
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100%
Top
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 |
Total Science: 20
Tiers: 5
Tier 1
Name: Early Television Camera
Tech: Satellite Era Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 10% (2.0)
Tier 2
Name: Basic TV Camera
Tech: Interplanetary Era Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 25% (5.0)
Tier 3
Name: Improved TV Camera
Tech: Deep Space Science Experiments
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 50% (10.0)
Tier 4
Name: Advanced Visible Imaging Device
Tech: Exploration Era Science
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 75% (15)
Tier 5
Name: High Resolution Imaging Device
Tech: Advanced Science Experiments
Transmission Capability: 100%
Total Science Possible: 100% (20)