Thanks. The "wide stance" was adopted after numerous failed landings on Duna due to the centre of gravity being so high with nuclear engines. The extra weight it adds is just part of doing business in space. Personally, I'm not sold on the SRBs, I just threw them on there out of frustration with other landers failing to make orbit. Since they are the first to go on takeoff, it doesnt matter how heavy they are, but something is needed to get everything out of the atmosphere quickly. I might experiment with more aerospikes, or more (bigger) SRBs. The adapers are mostly for looks, but they also shift the centre of thrust down a bit. Also part of the "wide stance" requirement I guess. As for the extra weight, its nothing compared to the fuel weight. The other members of my colony are happily orbiting Laythe right now. They were not as successful at launch as this one, and so they will bide their time before attempting landings as they are very low on fuel in the interplanetary stage, and takeoff pretty much requires almost no fuel use on landing (parachutes). Running three missions at a time really keeps you on your toes tho, since by the time you get orbiting around Jool with one, the others may have been crashed or ejected into deep space days ago.