A simple xls spreadsheet for science locations/types

[Langkard]

Do not download this file if you don't want to know where all of the available science locations/biomes for each instrument are located.

Find the file here:

http://www.fileswap.com/dl/5XOWGOIiOM/KSPscience.xls.html

It is only 26.5 kb


It was based on the information at http://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Science

I did not include the science points or the formulas for figuring them out, see the above KSP wiki page for that information.

The file shows each biome (12 on Kerbin, 15 on the Mun, 1 on each of the other planets/moons) and the available science type or report type (for EVA and Crew Reports) for each height (on the ground, low atmosphere, upper atmosphere, near orbit, high orbit). Some science types can not be done at multiple biomes, but just once per planet/moon (plus diminishing returns for duplicate missions) and are shown. Some science can not be done at specific locations (seismic data can not be collected when landed in water, such as on Kerbin or Eve). I am assuming that the sun, Kerbol, is pretty much like Jool except with no atmosphere at all, but I haven't tried a "near" orbit to find out if the science will work there or not. High orbit science and reports do work, however.

It also appears that KSC, the Landing pad and the Runway all count as the same biome for low atmosphere EVA even though they are different biomes for everything else.

NOTE: The last KSP weekly on the official website noted that Squad is working on some changes to data transmission and the science is still being developed. Expect the above information to NOT remain valid forever.

EDIT: Left off the columns for the Materials Science lab. File is correct now.

[Streetlamp Le Moose]

You do know that there's already a file that isn't a questionable download in the Squad folder in GameData that shows where each science can be found, right?

[AttentiveColon]

For OS X users the file is in:
~/Library/Application Support/Steam/SteamApps/common/Kerbal Space Program/GameData/Squad/Resources/ScienceDefs.cfg

[Langkard]

If you're talking about the ScienceDefs.cfg file it does NOT show where each science can be found. It only shows the various flavor text messages that come from various science reports and the base numbers for gathering data. That isn't the same thing as all of the locations where you can earn science points. The locations for where science can be obtained are internal to the game code and not in that file. The locations are based on the biomes, as shown in the map a Squad dev released before 0.22 came out. Players can modify that flavor text and modify the numbers used in the internal science points calculations. But players can NOT modify where the science is found, it's in the game code itself.

For example: the ScienceDefs.cfg file doesn't list any Goo text for Grasslands on Kerbin. But, that just means that when you examine the Goo container while landed in the Grasslands areas, you'll get the "default" text message. You still get science (7.5 points for the first report plus 5 more with diminishing returns), you just don't get a specific flavor text message. Similarly, that file only shows a distinct message for Goo reports at DunaInSpace, so you only see that message for that location "The Goo takes on a red sheen, it looks very much like the planet below." But you get separate Goo container science points from the ground, from lower atmosphere, upper atmosphere, in space above and in space high above. It's just that for all of them except the two in space, you'll get the generic "You observe the Goo." message instead.

I made the spreadsheet so that I can keep track of how many times I do each science/report type for each location and when I exhaust the full points for each. This way I don't have to wonder if I missed something like landing in the Badlands and checking the Goo. After every flight, I mark the science and reports I did in the spreadsheet.

If you're only doing the science based on the flavor text files in the ScienceDefs.cfg, then you are missing out on a large amount of science points.

As for it being a questionable download, no one is forcing you to download. Make your own spreadsheet. I only put it up to download to save other people the trouble of making one.

[Langkard]

Made a couple of corrections to the spreadsheet, for anyone who cares. I had the locations for near space orbit for EVa and Crew reports switched. Crew Reports can only be done from near space orbit once (plus duplicate missions for diminishing points) and EVA's can be done in low Kerbin orbit for each biome (although the landing pad, KSC and the runway seem to be too small to nail from orbit and end up being Kerbin Shores biome instead).