Going to space! - The forum game edition

[RainDreamer]

This is a very simple game: All participant of this game are kerbals "scientists" of a space project. Your goal is to go to space and beyond, with each poster adding to the current technology to go to space better than the previous poster.

How "better" is up to you.

Rules

1. Only one upgrade in technology per post.

2. Your upgrade can either be an add-on to current technology, or replacement of old technology. You can replace a whole bunch at once with one sufficiently advanced technology.

3. Follow all rules of reality and physics.

4. Only current and near future technology, no sci-fi.

5. You have to explain why your addition makes things "better". It doesn't have to be entirely logical - you are kerbals.

6. Your destination is space and beyond.

7. Have fun. A lot of it.

For example:

Poster 1: I throw a rock to space.

Poster 2: I use a slingshot to shoot the rock to space. A sling shot can shoot further than a hand can throw.

Poster 3: I attach wings to the rock and shoot it to space with the sling shot. Wings will help the rock fly better.

Poster 4: I attach wings to a potato and shoot it with a slingshot to space. A potato is lighter than a rock, so it will fly higher.

Poster wacko: I bake the winged potato and shoot it with a sling shot to space. A baked potato is more delicious.

Let's start!

I throw a paper plane to space.

[Deutherius]

I attach more wings to the paper airplane. More wings = more lift = faster to space.

[Tex]

I build a mechanical arm to throw the plane at a higher velocity. Higher velocity = Faster to space.

[Tex_NL]

I set the paper plane on fire before throwing it. A rocket looks a lot better riding a big column of flames.

[Vivian_Science]

The paper plane burns. I re-make the plane and make it more aerodynamic

[Yukon0009]

The paper plane gets shot down. I rebuild it as an armed space fighter.

[Deutherius]

I uninstall the weapons and replace them with additional fuel filled drop tanks. More fuel = more deltaV = more space we can get to.

[Tex]

I extend the fuselage and add passenger capacity. More Delta-v equals more lifting power! Also, passengers equal profit.

[megatiger78]

I add boosters. always helps

[Mad Rocket Scientist]

I remove the wings and launch it vertically and add a 2nd stage.

[North]

I Add Mechjeb for stabilization

[Mad Rocket Scientist]

I add hundreds of sas units for Moar Stability.

[SemiaCloud]

I add tiny SRBs for more thrust.

[Mad Rocket Scientist]

I add Massive SRBs for lots more thrust, reach orbit.

[Mr_Brain]

I add a parachute. It covers the blunt nose, making the rocket pointier and more aerodynamic.

[Mad Rocket Scientist]

I add far to make the nosecone worth even more!

[Bill Phil]

I add a KR-2L engine...

There's no thrust, like overthrust.

[Vivian_Science]

I add medium-sized, multi-axis vernier engines for better stability

[StrandedonEarth]

I replace the oxidizer with fluorine, for even more performance. The ground crew starts wearing hazmat suits full-time

[Robotengineer]

I replace the fluorine with RFNA.

[mythbusters844]

I replace the liquid fuel with UDMH so that things make sense

[megatiger78]

I add another 2 stages. the VAB Is made taller.

[Deutherius]

I add some science instruments. Because no sane person would send stuff to space without doing some SCIENCE! along the way.

[Ethanadams]

I call Jeb to fly it making it 300000000000x better

[Mr_Brain]

I throw Jeb out of the capsule and replace him by a high-level probe core. We don't need an excited kerbal trying how close he can orbit to Minmus without smashing into a mountain.