Can you fix this munar return probe?

[Goddess Bhavani]

Everything went well until the end. Can you help fix this munar return probe?
 

 

[Starman4308]

First: separate the service module before hitting atmosphere. That makes sure you are properly in descent configuration before aerodynamic stress is applied.

Second: reentry vehicle is too long and skinny; I'd flatten her out, put it on a 2.5 m heatshield, and arrange things more laterally. There's a reason many reentry vehicles look like blunt cones; that provides a lot of drag and an aerodynamically stable vehicle. Take a look at Soyuz (the middle part is the reentry vehicle), Apollo, Gemini, the stock command vehicles; most are shorter than they are wide. Your reentry vehicle... didn't really stand a chance.

Third, if all else fails, consider sending a Kerbal along to take all the science off the vehicle and into his/her command pod.

That said, it was a very good-looking probe, and it's a shame it burned up like that.

Edited October 30, 2016 by Starman4308