Aik

Mm - I should really go and rescue some more kerbals. I kill them so fast that I keep running out. Being rescued by me is more a curse - probably better to die floating in orbit contemplating our place in the universe rather than during a fiery death on a poorly built rocket incapable of reaching orbit.

Seeing FAR is available I don't see any reason not to use it. If we're going to have a game that simulates the atmosphere why stop at half-measures? Is stock actually balanced for 'fun', or is it just a lazy simulation and thus slightly easier? I can understand that easier can be more fun depending on what you're after, but the whole balanced-for-gameplay vs realism argument feels a bit suspect to me.

Funds are fine, but there's way too much science. If I wanted to play it safe I could probably build up a good amount of funds, but a few disastrous bits of R&D will bring it back down pretty quick. I've never done any boring contracts just to get money. Technology advances are way too fast though. You can easily launch the first Duna mission you do with nuclear engines or other advanced technology, which is a bit of a shame. I feel you should have to try and scrape through with crappy technology for a bit longer before being able to access that sort of stuff.

Remotetech installed, first Duna probe mission. The antenna broke off and a significant portion of our budget plunged into the sea. The second launch went okayish (though probably not actually going to make it to Duna). The third launch was destroyed when I opened the fairings without turning off the engines - that was fairly traumatising. Fourth launch successful. Our space program is basically broke now, but we will probably get something to Duna.