SC-9001 Science Jr., how best to use

[valenti_scott]

Hello-
I'm in a career-mode play through, and I'm wanting to increase my science. So I'm trying out the SC-9001.

I read in the wiki that you get a penalty if you don't bring a science module back with you. So I stuck it to the bottom of my capsule.

I also read in the wiki that you can use a science module multiple times in a flight if you have an antenna. So I stuck an antenna to the side of my capsule.

Then I launched. On re-entry, the capsule turned around and entered the atmosphere nose-first, which is obviously bad, but my astronaut survived. So I'm looking for some hints there. How best to return your SC-9001 to the Kerbin, or if it is even necessary to return it.

Also, the thing about the doors on the SC-9001 isn't quite clear. It seems like a good idea to open the doors; and does the experiment work at all with the doors closed? It also seems one should close the doors prior to re-entry!

Also, I ran the experiment twice, but only got credit for the last run. I thought, since I had an antenna, I would get credit for both runs.

Also, I read in the wiki that you can retrieve experiment results by doing an EVA. Sounds cool, but I haven't tried it yet. Thanks for your help.
-Scott

[Stamp20]

The Science Jr. works exactly the same as the mystery goo, so it's one-time use unless a Scientist resets it.
You don't need to return it, just EVA and grab the experiment data.
The doors are purely visual, having them open or closed won't affect anything.

[valenti_scott]

OK, so you can only use it once per flight. I guess the EVA thing is optional, but you get a penalty if you don't do the EVA? Thanks for the quick reply.

[Chibbity]

You need to return the data inside it, either by bringing it back in one piece, or having a Kerbal EVA and take said data out of it, then you wouldn't need it anymore.

[valenti_scott]

OK, thanks.

[Exploatores]

I had a experimental storage unit. If things turned wrong In reentry i Eject the SC-9001. mun is a good place to collect science.

[valenti_scott]

I haven't tried an experimental storage unit; I'll look into that. It's not clear to me how you put units inside other units, I've only been stacking or attaching things to sides.

[Kyle]

There is no "penalty" of any kind for not returning the modules. You just can't transmit 100% of the science data of every experiment. You have to hit the blue "transmit" button instead of the green "keep experiment" button. Some will take multiple copies being transmitted, then you have to physically recover the final one to squeeze every bit of science out.

You can use the Science Jr. and Mystery Goo multiple times per flight. You need a Scientist Kerbal on board to go EVA to reset them though. The data can be transferred to an Experiment Storage Unit easily by hitting transfer data and clicking on one.

You don't need to recover the Science Jr, the data just needs to be transmitted or collected into something that will be recovered. I do recover a lot of mine, but that's usually due to me over-building, so it's your choice.

You want the Service Bay or Cargo Bay parts for helping stow things in an aerodynamic way. The Experiment Storage Units are very durable though, they will survive re-entry on the outside of a rocket as well.

[valenti_scott]

Thanks, I've been experimenting with unmanned flight by using a OKTO pod. It is smaller than a standard fuel tank, so it doesn't look very aerodynamic.

I placed a nose cone on top of it, which makes it look somewhat acceptable, but still not streamlined. I'm not sure if it is possible to put the OKTO inside a shroud or the service bay or cargo bay you mention above. I'm in career mode, so I may not have access to these parts yet.

Edit: I do have access to the service bay, but I do not know how to place components inside of it, or whether the OKTO would fit.

[El Rushbo]

It's possible to develop an infrastructure so you can re-use most of the science parts. Which can save money in the long term, but also there's a merit to landing on a world, getting the science, then coming back up to refuel the lander and deposit all science in orbit and reset the experiments for another trip down. That way you can grab multiple biomes rapidly.

[Exploatores]

Originally posted by valenti_scott:

I haven't tried an experimental storage unit; I'll look into that. It's not clear to me how you put units inside other units, I've only been stacking or attaching things to sides.

I put it above the comandmodule.

[MechBFP]

Whatever you were reading is hilariously wrong. Do you have a link?

[GunsForBucks]

I've got a collection unit under the top docking port on this rover. Just behind the driver seat.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2085008396

[valenti_scott]

I guess I was assuming you could place experiments inside an experimental storage unit. It seems that is not the case.

[Stamp20]

Originally posted by valenti_scott:

Edit: I do have access to the service bay, but I do not know how to place components inside of it, or whether the OKTO would fit.

There are mount nodes inside of the servive bay, you can attach stuff there.
Edit: The OKTO is small enough to fit inside, with room left for batteries, science, etc.

[Kyle]

The game makes you place the OKTO first, so you would put that down, then put the Service Bay around it. The smaller one doesn't leave much space inside, but you can fit everything you need in there. It comes down to how you feel about parts "clipping" inside each other. It's kind of realistic, since otherwise we would never get to use space as efficiently as real-life engineering does, with custom container sizes as needed.

You would put the OKTO down first, then the Service Bay around it, then try to squeeze in your batteries and the Experiment Storage Unit, etc. Rotating and messing with it might be necessary.

Here's an example of a clipped craft that can recover all the fun science stuff safely, but ditches the Science Jr. I recover some of mine, but it is recommended you leave it behind. They are very weak to heat and frequently cause problems upon re-entry.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2085039727

If you just can't stand the clipping, I would go with something like this. The lack of aerodynamics won't hurt you very much, unmanned craft are extra light and usually have enough power that it won't matter in the long run.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2085040868

These are obviously very basic, I just threw some stuff together to try to show how it all works.

At first, I thought the Experiment Storage Unit would hold all the stuff as well. It actually only holds the results of the experiments, not the tools themselves.