Thinking about starting a mod for automated booster launch and landing. Help me start off in the right direction!

[janismac]

After some success with precision landing boosters, I'm thinking about taking it to the next level. It would be interesting to make landing boosters not just a gimmick but part of career gameplay. From my experience one can roughly save 60% of the launch cost by landing the booster at the KSC. The mod would allow Falcon 9 type launch missions. I would appreciate it if you could answer some questions regarding this idea. Other suggestions are of course also welcome.

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Would you incorporate automated booster launch and landing into your career gameplay, if it is sufficiently easy to use?

Answer here: https://linkto.run/p/MT2ASJQ3

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How would you want to use the mod?

A) End-to-end optimization and automation: This would be the most efficient and hands-off approach. You define the mission parameters and goals. The mod takes the payload from the launch pad to a Kerbin orbit and the booster to a landing site.

B) Individual maneuvers: You do most of the flying by hand. The mod helps with the two most difficult maneuvers: The boostback/targeting burn and the landing burn.

Answer here: https://linkto.run/p/QVDYJ900

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In what context would you like to use the mod?

A) Realism Overhaul + FAR  
B) Stock  
C) Both  

Answer here: https://linkto.run/p/C50RX72Q

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Writing such a mod to work with any vessel is difficult, because it is hard to predict how the vessel will interact with the atmosphere. Some test flights are necessary to determine parameters for a particular rocket. Would you like to ...

A) ... choose from a set of given rockets, that have been tested and work well?  
B) ... use your own rocket and do some test flights and manual parameter tuning?  
C) Both  

Answer here: https://linkto.run/p/WRUYXGVK

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PS: As a side note, you may be wondering how one can control both stages simultaneously. There are some mods that allow you to "travel back in time" and control a different vessel. But that is not necessary. You can do a RTLS mission by switching back an forth. A sequence I often use in stock is: Launch to a high apogee (~140km), separation, S1 boostback, S2 orbit insertion, S1 EDL (entry, descent and landing).