Description: After having made considerable technological progress while exploring the cosmic skies (all stock nodes), the KSC started to search for new, epic ideas using the new-found capabilities of their technology. Months of pondering led the KSC staff to consider a high-cost, high-risk, long-term but high science yield interplanetary mission. Indeed, they thought building an interplanetary cruiser in orbit was such a grand idea that it would overlook all the problems of Kerbal engineering solutions. Furthermore, the KSC's budget and manpower was close to unlimited... Goals: Visit every planet (and maybe satellites, if I have the patience to do so) of the Kerbol system with a three-part, docked-in-orbit, monstruous spaceship Make use of in-situ ressource mining (using the Kethane mod) Explore bodies using landers docked on the main spaceship SCIENCE! Mods used: Parts mods: KW Rocketry Procedural fairings B9 Aerospace Interstellar mod (to some extent) Habitat pack (for the centrifugiums, mostly) Real Chutes Misc. mods: Ferram Aerospace Research MechJeb (to help me at times) RasterProp monitor Kerbal Attachment System Chapter 1: Budding starts After making yet another suppository joke, KSC's star pilot, Jebediah Kerman, praised the design of the new 3.5m launching system, who has been rumored to be engineered in collaboration with an alien space agency. Who would have guessed? This yet-unnamed behemoth carried 20t of engineering glory into Low Kerbin Orbit. This was the core module of the spaceship, mostly comprising living and operational quarters. Although the center of the module was nothing exceptional, the sophistication of this craft was yet unmatched by anything ever made by kerbalkind. These inflatable and rotating centrifugiums, which generate nearly 9.8 m/s² of centripetal force, are the pinnacle in countering deleterious effects of extended periods of zero-g space travel. Bob deemed the quarters spacious and extremely comfortable. Notably, the large amount of storage for snacks and board games earned Bob's endorsement. One centrifugium can comfortably house 4 kerbals. Shortly after the core module started orbiting, was launched a RCS tug, to facilitate the soon-to-come docking operations. Speaking of which... The science module has rendez-vous'd ! This slightly less impressive section has plenty of Mystery Goo Canisters, Science Jr. Bays, and generally scientific instruments, as well as a mobile laboratory. It also features a large array of solar panels, retractable radiators, a set of Kethane-related tools, namely a sensor, a tank and a converter... ... as well as a small but often overcrowded observation cuppola for taking beautiful pictures to frame and hang in the KSC's recruitment club. After docking, the vessel was stress-tested with overdriving the reaction wheels. It still didn't show any significant flex. KSC engineers can be proud. The third and last module... Engines, tanks, and 'maybe too much' RCS and reaction wheels. The WW2 (or Buddhist) inspired tank disposition was positively received by the KSC, as more is always better. The spaceship has been completed. A quick consensus decided the ship would be named "KSS Interplanetary Vanguard". However, engineers have detected a dangerous flex near the docking ports between the engine and core module. Additional EVA strutting will be necessary.