Active cargo parts

[gotmachine]

Main concept

When storing a part in an inventory, allow that stored part modules to work as if they were on the inventory part. This effectively allow "part functionality customization". Main use cases are :

• ECLSS processes : no more ECLSS processes by default on all pods/habs. Instead, the player add the ECLSS "cargo parts" to the pod/inventory.
• Experiments : Same thing, just put the experiment part in another part (pod, probe core, etc...)
• Data drives : Just provide 4-5 drive parts (varying tech level/cost/volume...), and get ride of the default module everywhere.
• Samples : Samples are now cargo parts, either collected/created (surface sample) or a "sample container" with an initial sample material that is "written to" (mystery goo, material bay).
• Resource containers : cargo parts containing resources have those resources made available for the rest of the vessel. This allow customizing what pods/habs/service modules can hold freely.
• Hab comforts : exercise equipment, bunks, etc...

Quick demo :

Main benefits :

• Much better flexibility for the user than any other solution (B9PS module switching...)
• Prevent the spamming of useless modules
• Allow to decouple the tech tree availability of drives, experiments, processes, etc from the availability of the parts using them, getting ride of the whole need for pre-configured part upgrades (processes, experiments, drives...) and having to balance module stats for every part using it (drives..).
• Potentially allow to get ride of the B9PS module switching integration, which is is a technical mess.

Main downsides :

• We will need tons of new parts, which mean tons of models. But unless we want those "active cargo parts" to also be "regular" parts, we don't really need 3d models for them. A simple generic "box" can be used, and we can use a custom 2D icon for the in-inventory representation.
• Handling of cargo part resources will likely require quite a bit of additional work. We can easily make those resources appear in the holding part PAW, but we also need a to provide a way to perform resource transfers to/from those parts, which will likely be a bit messy to handle.
• At least for now, this remove the ability to do mesh-switching based on a part functionality (the "service/ECLSS module" part). Maybe we can do some B9PS integration here, where storing a cargo part forces a B9PS subtype to become active.
• At least for now, the ability to use an "active stored part" is only limited by inventory volume/mass constraints. Maybe we want to introduce some limitations ? There are two that come to mind :
  • Require the spacecraft to be manned to be able to move stuff around in inventories
  • Require an engineer to be able to "install" active parts

New active parts needed :

• Drives : I think 4-5 parts with increased capacity/decreased volume/mass should be enough to cover the tech tree progression.
• ECLSS processes. Likely 3 variants for each, with capacity for supporting 1/3/10 Kerbals.
  • Pressure control
  • Scrubbers. Maybe we can implement two variants
    • Non-regenerative, non-ec consuming scrubbers with limited lifetime. Default pod equipment, small size, good for short missions (~5 days)
    • Regenerative ec-consuming scrubers. Bulky but unlimited lifetime.
  • Air pump (for pressure control/scrubbing while in breathable atmo)
  • Water recycler
  • Waste processor
• Samples :
  • Surface sample
  • Goo
  • Matbay
• Experiments :
  • Crew report
  • FLOAT
  • FLIGHT
  • LEAVE
  • CLAM
  • Telemetry report
  • MITE
  • SITE
  • LITE
• Hab conforts
  • Exercise equipment (maybe 2-3 variants with varying quality/kerbal capacity)
  • Passive comforts (bunks...) ?
  • EC consuming ones (tv...) ?

Progress tracking

• [x] Inventory interface and API (currently part of KSPCommunityFixes)
• [x] Inventory handler core implementation
• [x] Active cargo parts core implementation
• [x] Cargo part installation configs and UI hooks
• [ ] Stock/mod parts inventory configs
• [ ] ECLSS cargo parts
  • [ ] Configs
  • [ ] Models
• [ ] Samples cargo parts
  • [ ] Configs
  • [ ] Models
• [ ] Experiments cargo parts
  • [ ] Configs
  • [ ] Models
• [ ] Habitat cargo parts
  • [ ] Code
  • [ ] Configs
  • [ ] Models

Random items

• [x] (Inventory API) Take it out of KSPCommunityFixes and prepare release as an independent mod
• [ ] (Inventory API) Implement custom cargo part tooltip handler + API
• [ ] Implement habitat volume reduction by occupied inventory space

[gotmachine]

Some reference material for RL ECLSS components :

Dragon capsule : https://ttu-ir.tdl.org/bitstream/handle/2346/86364/ICES-2020-333.pdf

Dragon capsule pressure regulator assembly :

Dragon capsule CO2 scrubber :

Dragon capsule dehumidifer:

Dragon capsule overview of the whole ECLSS assembly

ISS ECLSS racks

ISS scrubber assembly

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html#id=7635

Old ISS scrubber stats

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly CDRA Mass: 200 kg CDRA Power: 1000 watts CDRA volume: 0.5 m3 CDRA Heat rejection: 620 watts to TCS and 500 watts to Avionics Air CO2 removal performance: 4.16 kg/day assuming crew of 4 ppCO2 at 2.0 mmHg -> ~ 26 CFM air flow Expected Mean Time Between Failure: 3+ years.