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The Tech Tree is used to unlock new parts for building vessels. The tech tree has a branching structure made up of nodes, each containing a collection of one or more parts. Nodes are unlocked by spending Science points to research their listed technologies. These nodes are spread out across multiple tiers which generally divide the parts by their ability to facilitate further exploration and build more complex crafts. The tree starts with the initial Starting Rocketry node already unlocked. Subsequent nodes all have a prerequisite node which must be unlocked before itself. The entire tech tree requires 152,080 Science points to unlock.
The tech tree is accessible via the KSC R&D Center and is therefore only available in Exploration Mode.
Use
The tech tree is displayed a horizontal branching structure going from left to right. The player can use Science points earned by completing Missions and conducting experiments to unlock the nodes on the tech tree. Green nodes are already unlocked, bright gray nodes with a blue Science points icon are available to be researched, and dark gray nodes are not yet accessible. Once a node is unlocked, it's subsequent node or nodes become available to unlock. Clicking on any node provides a description of it's technology, list of parts included, cost in Science points, and the option to research the node if not already researched.
Nodes are arranged into rows and columns which indicate their cost in Science points. Nodes in any particular column generally cost the same amount of Science points, with some exceptions, and the cost increases as you move from left to right along a row. Branches along the tree broadly follow certain themes, such as propulsion, utility, construction, or aerodynamics. Each tier following Tier 1 is made accessible by unlocking all of the top level nodes. For example, once Power Launchers is unlocked in Tier 1, Tier 2 becomes available starting with Medium Orbital Rockets.
Tier 1
The first tier of the tech tree requires 1,010 Science points to fully unlock. This tier is generally aimed at navigating Kerbin and its moons.
| Name | Cost | Position | Required Nodes(s) | Parts List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Rocketry | 0 | 1,1 | None |
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| Light Launchers | 10 | 1,2 | Starting Rocketry |
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| Solid Fuel Boosters | 15 | 1,3 | Light Launchers |
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| Orbital Rocketry | 25 | 1,4 | Solid Fuel Boosters |
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| Mun Landing | 80 | 1,6 | Orbital Rocketry |
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| Power Launchers | 180 | 1,8 | Mun Landing |
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| Environmental Science | 10 | 2,3 | Light Launchers |
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| Struts | 35 | 2,4 | Solid Fuel Boosters |
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| Reaction Control System | 50 | 2,5 | Orbital Rocketry |
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| Monopropellant Drive | 80 | 2,6 | Reaction Control System |
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| Tiny Engines | 120 | 2,7 | Monopropellant Drive |
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| Probes | 10 | 3,3 | Light Launchers |
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| Lights & Utilities | 15 | 3,4 | Probes |
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| Power Management | 35 | 3,5 | Lights & Utilities |
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| Long-Range Probes | 50 | 3,6 | Power Management |
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| Small Payloads | 35 | 4,5 | Introductory Construction |
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| Research Miniaturization | 50 | 4,6 | Power Management |
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| Introductory Construction | 10 | 5,3 | Light Launchers |
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| Specialized Decoupling | 15 | 5,4 | Introductory Construction |
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| Basic Docking | 50 | 5,6 | Specialized Decoupling |
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| Basic Trusses | 25 | 6,4 | Introductory Construction |
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| Micro-Construction | 35 | 6,5 | Basic Trusses |
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| Aerodynamics & Stability | 10 | 7,3 | Light Launchers |
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| Survivability | 10 | 7,4 | Aerodynamics & Stability |
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| Light Aviation | 50 | 7,5 | Survivability |
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Tier 2
The second tier of the tech tree requires 11,170 Science points to fully unlock. This tier introduces parts typically used for initial interplanetary travel, particularly Nuclear Propulsion.
| Name | Cost | Position | Required Node(s) | Parts List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium Orbital Rockets | 180 | 1,1.9 | Power Launchers |
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| Medium Launchers | 400 | 1,4 | Medium Orbital Rockets |
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| Nuclear Propulsion | 650 | 1,6 | Medium Launchers |
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| Modular Launchers | 300 | 1,8 | Nuclear Propulsion |
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| Fuel Lines | 300 | 2,3 | Medium Orbital Rockets |
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| Precision Propulsion | 400 | 2,4 | Fuel Lines |
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| Xenon Propulsion | 850 | 2,7 | Nuclear Propulsion |
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| Enhanced Electronics | 230 | 3,3 | Medium Orbital Rockets |
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| Durable Power Systems | 300 | 3,4 | Enhanced Electronics |
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| Rovers | 400 | 3,5 | Durable Power Systems |
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| Autonomous Sampling | 500 | 3,6 | Rovers |
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| Atmospheric Science | 300 | 4,4 | Enhanced Electronics |
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| Landing Utilities | 400 | 4,5 | Precision Machining |
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| Heavy Landings | 500 | 4,6 | Landing Utilities |
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| Expanded Construction | 230 | 5,3 | Medium Orbital Rockets |
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| Precision Machining | 300 | 5,4 | Expanded Construction |
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| Medium Payloads | 400 | 5,5 | Precision Machining |
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| Medium Trusses | 500 | 5,6 | Medium Payloads |
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| Medium Truss Adapters | 650 | 5,7 | Medium Trusses |
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| Enhanced Coupling | 300 | 6,4 | Expanded Construction |
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| Tiny & Large Docking | 400 | 6,5 | Enhanced Coupling |
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| Precision Aerodynamics | 230 | 7,3 | Medium Orbital Rockets |
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| Mk2 Jets | 300 | 7,4 | Precision Aerodynamics |
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| High-Altitude Aviation | 400 | 7,5 | Mk2 Jets |
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| Aviation Utility | 500 | 7,6 | High-Altitude Aviation |
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| Aerial Drones | 400 | 8,5 | Mk2 Jets |
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Tier 3
The third tier of the tech tree requires 42,900 Science points to fully unlock. This tier introduces parts typically used for deep space interplanetary travel.
| Name | Cost | Position | Required Node(s) | Parts List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Rocketry | 1400 | 1,1 | Modular Launchers |
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| Heavy Launchers | 1800 | 1,2 | Heavy Rocketry |
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| Deep Space Methalox | 2900 | 1,4 | Heavy Launchers |
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| Heavy Nuclear Propulsion | 4500 | 1,6 | Deep Space Propulsion |
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| Oversized Monopropellant Fuel | 1800 | 2,2 | Heavy Rocketry |
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| Heavy Orbital Operations | 2300 | 2,3 | Heavy Launchers |
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| Deep Space Probes | 1400 | 3,2 | Heavy Rocketry |
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| Enlarged Power Systems | 1800 | 3,3 | Deep-Space Probes |
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| Long-Range Generation | 2300 | 3,4 | Enhanced Power Systems |
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| Nuclear Power | 2900 | 3,5 | Long-Range Generation |
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| Radiation Science | 1800 | 4,3 | Deep-Space Probes |
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| Orbital Science | 2900 | 4,5 | Radiation Science |
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| Heavy Construction | 1400 | 5,2 | Heavy Rocketry |
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| Heavy Trusses | 1800 | 5,3 | Heavy Construction |
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| Large Payloads | 2300 | 5,4 | Heavy Trusses |
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| Large Coupling | 1800 | 6,3 | Heavy Construction |
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| Specialized Docking | 2300 | 6,4 | Large Coupling |
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| Large Aerodynamics | 1400 | 7,2 | Heavy Rocketry |
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| Jumbo Jets | 1800 | 7,3 | Large Aerodynamics |
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| Airliners | 2300 | 7,4 | Jumbo Jets |
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Tier 4
The fourth tier of the tech tree requires 97,000 Science points to fully unlock. This tier introduces parts for XL sized crafts. Colony parts are expected to first become available in this tier once released. The large yellow star seen in the background of Tier 4 is thought to potentially be Deb Deb, hinting at interstellar travel.
| Name | Cost | Position | Required Node(s) | Parts List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XL Methalox Tanks | 5000 | 1,2 | Heavy Nuclear Propulsion |
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| XL Hydrogen Tanks | 6000 | 1,3 | XL Methalox Tanks |
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| XL Electronics | 5000 | 2,3 | XL Methalox Tanks |
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| Aquatic Sciences | 6000 | 2,4 | XL Electronics |
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| Orbital Report | 7000 | 2,5 | Aquatic Sciences |
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| Oversized Landing | 5000 | 3,3 | XL Methalox Tanks |
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| Space Truckin' | 7000 | 3,5 | XL Trusses |
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| XL Construction | 5000 | 4,3 | XL Methalox Tanks |
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| XL Trusses | 6000 | 4,4 | XL Construction |
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| XL Truss Adapters | 7000 | 4,5 | XL Trusses |
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| XL Payloads | 8000 | 4,6 | XL Truss Adapters |
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| XL Coupling | 6000 | 5,4 | XL Construction |
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| XL Docking | 7000 | 5,5 | XL Coupling |
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| Space Shuttles | 6000 | 6,4 | Spaceplanes |
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| Spaceplanes | 5000 | 7,3 | XL Methalox Tanks |
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| Mk3 Fuel Systems | 6000 | 7,4 | Spaceplanes |
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Tier 5
This article or section contains content that has been revealed but is not implemented in the game. |
The fifth tier of the tech tree was expected to be made available with the release of the Colonies milestone update and was said to contain colony parts.
Tier 6 & Beyond
This article or section contains content that has been revealed but is not implemented in the game. |
The sixth tier of the tech tree was "planned". Considering the number of colony parts alleged to be introduced as well as parts necessary for interstellar travel, tiers could have continued past 6 depending on the number of nodes to be added to Tiers 4 - 6 and the number parts per node.