Useful Satelites?

[RenWex]

So I put a satelite to kerbin's Orbit at ~200Km height.
How can I get it or other probes useful?

Generally - what is a useful satelite?

[Naiba]

Until we get passive science parts, or mapping equipment, there's no such thing as a 'useful' satellite in the stock game.

They do look cool, tho :)

[Space Cop]

You could download Kethane, perhaps. Otherwise, their only use is for Career science parts (Mystery Goo, Gravioli Detector, etc.)

[Naiba]

Originally posted by Your Cat:

Otherwise, their only use is for Career science parts (Mystery Goo, Gravioli Detector, etc.)

Yep, this, doesn't matter what sort of orbit you have, a single ship can do all the orbital science for your entire planet in a couple minutes of clicking.

[Gertjan]

in the stock game, there is no "use" for sattelites, and the only reason for a craft staying in orbit, aside from cosmetic reasons, is as either a 'parking/storage' for landers and fuel, or to wait for a interplanetary departure window.

on that note, i do have a 12 sattelite comms/gps grid around kerbin in my sandbox, just becouse i can

[AlastairCS]

The remote tech mod adds line of sight communication for controlling probes, etc. It's a fun idea because it forces you to build networks of communcation satellites and all sorts of infrastructure so you can fly your craft. Basically makes satellites a necessity :)

[maestro]

Well you can make a simple satellite, if you have solar panels and transmit science back to Kerbin, and get science.

[RenWex]

It does not matter if I get 0.1 SCIENCE each time... :D

[maestro]

It's maybe not the best way, but it works. :) I have a sat that got me about 20ish science. I had to transmit about 10 times due to power limitations but it hey it works.

[Wooper]

Useful satellites would be so cool. Use them to scout ahead of (un-)manned flights to planets. To test the atmosphere or something.

[Pinus Alba]

I think, when signal retranslation comes alive, they will thrive.

[Smokey]

Build a satellite with all the science bits you can fit to it and a few solar panels, then add enough fuel for a trip to the Mun and minimus then back, fit 4 goo pods to it and assign them to action key 1 or whatever then press 1 as many times as you like in different areas of the journey and transmit back to Kerbin.

Also instead of time warping to get to the Mun quicker exit to hanger and build a small manned rocket to go to the Mun or minimus and bring stuff back that way you got 2 things to work on instead of 1 mission at a time.

I spent about 4 hrs straight doing this and when i got a ship back from Duna and all the science my sat sent during that time i checked my science and had over 2 thousand, now i can start on my spacestation for those longer trips

Here's the Sat http://cloud-3.steampowered.com/ugc/1047377790928283566/FA7C1473FB1F6BB0DE769D840C3D9666E319674C/

[ScruffyBamboo]

Once resources are in the game, satellites are going to be very usefull to scan for them.

Right now, it's just an easier way to send some science out to the far reaches, without having to worry about stranding a Kerbal.

[koimeiji]

I really don't see why people think satellites are useless without mods.

They're great for looking at a planet or moon before you take your chance and land on them!

[tik]

I like using 0 degree inclination satelites at various intervals to make placing kerbosynchronous or GPS satelites easier. They're also pretty good to have around for ferrying lost crews (if they have engines and stuff) to where a rescue crew can recieve them, and various other jobs.

Also they make a nice pretty cloud when you zoom out.

[johnny_Panzer]

Originally posted by Theshinesprites:

I really don't see why people think satellites are useless without mods.

They're great for looking at a planet or moon before you take your chance and land on them!

This, a hundred times this. I always use satellites to scout for landing sites.

What I'm doing these days, is that I'll send a satellite with a minirover attached. Then I use the satellite to scout for a landing site and once I've found a good one, I'll release and land the minirover and use that as a marker for the site.