This reference describes how stock technology research connects Science points, prerequisites, game modes, and parts available in the Editor. It also covers selected equipment and parts named in the technology tree, including experiment units, antennas, engines, propulsion, scanning equipment, processing, and electrical components. The Science mode tutorial gives additional detail on Mystery Goo observations, Science Jr. use on multi-biome trips, data transmission, and stack decouplers. Sandbox begins with all parts and technology unlocked, so its progression differs from research modes. The tree source labels its coverage as version 1.0.4; the tutorial is marked as needing an update. The sources do not establish full specifications or comparative effectiveness.
Start with how prerequisites, mode differences, and Career facility limits affect research availability. The tree passage also notes that Career settings may require funds for individual parts.
Technology tree researchCompare the tutorial’s recorded effects and constraints for Goo, Science Jr., and the Communotron 16, including recovery, experiment reuse, and Electric Charge use.
Mystery Goo™ Containment Unit SC-9001 Science Jr. Experiment Storage Unit Communotron 16Read the decoupler record for the tutorial’s explanation of stack decouplers and staging; its worked example names a different model than the tree listing.
TD-12 DecouplerChoose a topic to see how it works, where it helps and what to consider.
Research nodes spend collected Science to unlock their listed parts for the Editor, subject to prerequisites, game mode, and Career settings.
Understand this choiceThe Mystery Goo unit is an experiment part; the tutorial says observations can be transmitted or recovered for study, with recovery yielding more Science.
Understand this choiceThe SC-9001 is listed under Basic Science and is one of the experiment units the tutorial identifies as limiting multi-biome Mun trips.
Understand this choiceCommunotron 16 is listed in Engineering 101; a tutorial uses an antenna to transmit recorded Science data to the Kerbal Space Center at an Electric Charge cost.
Understand this choiceThe TD-12 is listed in Engineering 101; the tutorial describes stack decouplers as enabling multiple stages and separating used rocket parts.
Understand this choiceThe LV-909 “Terrier” is a liquid-fuel engine listed in the Advanced Rocketry technology node alongside a second engine and fuel tanks.
Understand this choiceThe LV-N “Nerv” is an atomic rocket motor listed in Nuclear Propulsion, a 300-Science node with two required technology nodes.
Understand this choiceThe IX-6315 “Dawn” is an electric propulsion system listed in Ion Propulsion alongside Xenon containers.
Understand this choiceThe Surface Scanning Module is listed in Scanning Tech with a telescope and survey scanner, following Advanced Exploration or Precision Engineering.
Understand this choiceThe Convert-O-Tron 250 is listed in Advanced Science Tech alongside mining excavators, a holding tank, and a gravity detector.
Understand this choiceThe Gigantor XL Solar Array is listed in High-Power Electrics alongside photovoltaic panels, a battery bank, and a fuel cell.
Understand this choiceThe technology tree passage says Sandbox does not use the tree and begins with all parts automatically unlocked; the Science and Career research path does not apply to that mode.
A node’s listed Science cost alone does not establish availability: prerequisite nodes must be unlocked, and some nodes have multiple dependencies.
The tree source says Career difficulty settings may require funds for individual parts, while research facility level limits which Science-cost nodes can be researched.
A source-bounded reference to stock research progression and selected parts listed in the technology tree, plus tutorial-described Science mode equipment and staging. The tree passage labels its coverage as of version 1.0.4. Full specifications and comparative performance for the parts are not established.
Explanations prepared with GPT-6 Luna and checked against the linked references. These are source-reviewed guides. They do not establish independently tested optimal builds or exact upgrade budgets. How coverage works.
