In Kerbal Space Program, the Astronaut Complex and Research and Development (R&D) Facility are pivotal for advancement in both career and science modes, each catering to different aspects of mission preparation and execution.

Astronaut Complex

The Astronaut Complex is dedicated to the management of your crew of Kerbonauts, the game’s playable character model. At its basic level, the facility allows you to hire and maintain a crew of up to 5 active Kerbonauts. However, by upgrading the complex, you can expand this capacity to 12, or even enable unlimited crew management at higher tiers. Each Kerbonaut can take on specific roles such as pilots, scientists, and engineers, each serving specialized functions during missions.

Key Functions:
– EVA Capabilities: With upgrades, Kerbonauts can perform Extra-Vehicular Activities, essential for various tasks including repairs, experiments, and facility upgrades during space missions.
– Crew Selection: The Astronaut Complex allows for an efficient selection of crew members based on their skills and experience, which is vital for the success of complex missions requiring specific expertise.

This facility is essential not just for logistics but for managing the human element of space exploration, ensuring that each mission is appropriately crewed based on its objectives.

Research and Development Facility

On the other hand, the Research and Development Facility serves as the core of technological progression within the game. Here, players unlock new parts and technologies by spending Science points — a currency acquired through conducting missions and experiments. At its initial level, R&D enables players to unlock basic technology nodes and review simple science reports like EVA reports and crew reports.

Upgrading R&D:
– Level 2 and Level 3 Upgrades: These upgrades expand the maximum Science cost of nodes you can unlock, thereby allowing access to more advanced technologies. They also enhance your capabilities, such as conducting surface samples and managing resource transfers between various spacecraft components.
– Progression of Vehicle Design: The R&D Facility is vital for advancing vehicle design by providing access to new spacecraft components, enabling players to develop more sophisticated and capable rockets and spaceplanes.

Conclusion

Together, the Astronaut Complex and Research and Development Facility create a robust framework for mission preparation in Kerbal Space Program. The Astronaut Complex ensures that your missions are staffed with capable Kerbonauts who can execute critical tasks, while the R&D Facility drives the technological advancement necessary for building advanced spacecraft. Both facilities are fundamental for achieving long-term goals and success in the game, making them essential hubs of activity for players aiming for exploration, discovery, and progression in the Kerbal universe.