Kerbal Space Program: Mission Zero

James’ Experimental Rocket demonstration launch.

James Kerman will be demonstrating how far his rocket goes up on one tank. Our entire space program will be using this as a starting point.

The Experimental Rocket follows a very simple staging system where the engine is manually activated and controlled from the command module. It will be flown straight up, deploying the parachute after it has reached maximum altitude.

Couldn't do the Right Stuff walk with only one astronaut.

We've moved the Experimental Rocket onto the launch pad and it is ready for liftoff. Once James has set the throttle and control systems, the rocket can be launched.

Shall I do a countdown? Is that too hokey? It doesn't feel right to launch a rocket without a countdown, so I’ll start one at T minus 5 seconds.

Five...

Four...

Three...

Two...

One.

It must be a very clean-burning rocket fuel. Natural gas?

Successful ignition and liftoff. The rocket quickly climbs past 5 kilometers (~3 miles).

To not perform any Extra-Vehicular Activity while under acceleration.

After only half a minute its tank runs out of fuel. 
Due to gravity and wind resistance, acceleration rapidly declines and momentum carries James only to a maximum height just under 8km. The rocket naturally falls back to the surface.

If you can still see the space center you're not in space yet.

According to the atmosphere meter (top of the screen, directly below the altitude meter), this is still well within the lower atmosphere.  Even on a planet as small as Kerbin, We’ll need to reach a much higher altitude before we can reach space, let alone perform a full orbit.

James takes a log of the flight at this point for later scientific review, deploys his rocket’s parachute, and crosses his little green fingers...

Look how happy he is! (click to enlarge)

See? Rocketry is perfectly safe.

 ...And the parachute deploys successfully!

Was a violent structural failure in our itinerary?

Touchdown! Explosion!!

For the record, we’re supposed to avoid explosions. At least the uncontrolled ones that aren't directed out of the engine nozzle.

Airbags deployed.

Looks like just the engine itself collapsed on impact. The rest of the vessel is intact and James is fine. Which is good, as I was hoping to keep him around for later experiments.

Post-mission review, next mission and design proposal.

With this demonstration over, we have obtained not only a few points of scientific research from James Kerman's’ flight report but a proven rocket design as a starting point for our space program. But it also proves that one Kerbal can't form a whole space program on his own; how can he afford to replace that engine, let alone design a bigger rocket? What if more than one astronaut is needed? Who will help come up with cool mission names?

Hint, hint.

The clearest limitation in James’ rocket was the available fuel; I propose we extend this to four continuous fuel tanks.

It's only a model.

A potential consequence of this will be an even rougher landing. Once it hits the ground engine-first the fuel tanks may also crumple under the added weight. Or the entire stack topples over and takes out the the command module. A water landing may help for now, assuming the parachute doesn't outright snap off when unfurled and leave us with one less Kerbal. There should be a solution available once we research some new components.

Once we've tested this design we will either have our first Kerbal in space or enough science and practical data to design a rocket that will both reach space and achieve orbit. Experimental Test Launch #1 (tentative names until better ones are proposed) is going to be a productive flight.

My next post review what kind of feedback I’m hoping this play-through will stimulate. But our immediate decision needs input before we can proceed:

Who should be selected to crew the next launch?

Nose goes? But they don't have noses!

Day 1

Active project: Experimental Rocket Project

Next mission: Experimental Test Launch #1

Selected vehicle: Experimental Rocket I

Assigned crew: ???