The scan is a once per body operation, and only takes a few seconds. Once established in orbit, it must first be opened ( Deploy Scanner), then the scan can be performed ( Perform orbital survey). The scanner requires a stable polar orbit at an appropriate altitude ( see below). Launching should probably make use of a payload fairing or cargo bay, as the scanner is large and not a good aerodynamic shape, so is likely to cause atmospheric control issues when placed on top of a rocket.

Transmitting a resource scan back to Kerbin counts as a science broadcast in terms of 'world's firsts' (that is, if you perform a resource scan before transmitting any other science data, you will receive a 'We have transmitted our first science from _' accomplishment.) An antenna is required to upload the data back to KSC, and any antenna will suffice. It is not particularly heavy, so a FL-T200 fuel tank and LV-909 engine are quite adequate for the final stage, providing the necessary power to establish and adjust the orbit, either from LKO to Mun and Minmus, or entry from solar orbit to another system. The electrical demand is brief, so it is not necessary to have a huge generating capacity. The scanner works well on a small 1.25m satellite, but has a large electrical demand when activated, so a Z-1k battery, or equivalent, is recommended.

Kap 45 mk2