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Everyone knows that 42 is a nice number: the sort that you can take home and introduce to your family. What is less well known is that it can represent a perfect level of "simplistic complexity" in a Kerbal craft. It has been hypothesised that a 42-piece craft is a "get anywhere, do anything"-sort of thing. To test and/or prove this point, a series of challenges have been created: (updated following feedback) The "Douglas Adams" Bronze: Showcase a 42-piece craft reaching any of Laythe (land), Moho, Dres, Eeloo, or Vall surface and returning at least one kerbal safely to Kerbin The "Douglas Adams" Silver: Showcase a 42-piece craft reaching Eve (3000m+), Tylo or Laythe (non-land) surface and returning at least one kerbal safely to Kerbin The "Douglas Adams" Gold: Showcase a 42-piece craft either reaching Eve or Laythe (to 300m 3000m above sea level or lower) or an ISRU Jool5 capable craft, in each case returning at least one kerbal safely to Kerbin The "Douglas Adams" Platinum: Showcase a 42-piece craft either reaching Eve (to lower than 300m above sea level) or a non-ISRU Jool5 capable craft, in each case returning at least one kerbal safely to Kerbin, or a 42-piece craft that otherwise impresses the judges. Rules: Stock craft only. Wolfhound (for DLC-users) is not permitted due to ludicrous OP now permitted since dev nerfing Min KSP version 1.2 (because I can't recall how much changed before that) The craft must consist of a single launch, made up of 42 pieces exactly (excluding launch clamps) on the landing pad or runway, and at least one kerbal to pilot it. It must include a capsule for the kerbal (i.e. no launching from EVA) to reach LKO at least - we like to pretend to the rest of Kerbin that they will travel in comfort No assistance from other pre-existing craft is permitted (refuelling etc.) The craft is required to reach only one of the named locations, though more are permitted Only the kerbal is required to land safely back on Kerbin to complete the challenge No outright exploits (ladder/kraken drives etc.). Minimum of "standard" difficulty settings (100% heat etc.), though more difficult settings are permitted. No cheat codes/mods (Alt-F12, Hyperedit etc.) Comms network may be disabled There are no restrictions requiring keeping the kerbal in a pod/capsule after LKO, nor on tech used (ion, nuclear etc.), nor even (if the mood so takes you) having all 42 pieces actually take off from the landing pad (subject to meeting all other rule requirements) Design- and Flight-assist mods permitted within reason (KES, Mechjeb, Trajectory etc.) Part offset (overlap or wide separation) permitted within reason provided that the end result looks realistic (i.e. no "neutron density" fuel tanks, or "magic levitating" wings please) ISRU is permitted, but not required, and must be declared Submission craft files are requested to be made available to "take home and introduce to the family" Leaderboard: Vessel name KSP version Launch mass Launch cost Award category Mission description Craft file link Mohawk by mystifeid 1.4.5 MH 976T 311k Bronze Moho, Non-ISRU here The Dougie by dnbattley Tylenol by mystifeid 42 - Tylo by 5thHorseman 1.4.5 1.4.5 MH n/k 139T 933T 576T 53k 376k 220k Gold Silver Silver Silver Laythe sea level feasibility mission, Non-ISRU Tylo, ISRU (via Pol x2) Tylo, Non-ISRU (** INC. FANTASTIC TRANSFER TUTORIAL VIDEO **) here here n/a E42 by Laie 1.4.4(?) 349T 141k Platinum Eve, ISRU (with capsule) here The Impossible42 by dnbattley 1.4.5 215T 154k Platinum Eve, IRSU (without capsule) here Life, The Universe, And Eve-Returning by ManEatingApe 1.4.5 313T 143k Platinum Eve, Non-ISRU (with capsule/EVA circularisation) here Eventually by mystifeid 1.4.5 290T 186k Platinum Eve, ISRU (with capsule) here Amalthea by IncongruousGoat TBC 154T 162k Platinum Jool5, Non-ISRU (chemical+ion) here Ark B by ManEatingApe 1.4.5 547T 209k Platinum Jool5, Non-ISRU (chemical) here Up goer 42-III by QF9E ***NEW ENTRY*** 1.8.1 341T n/k Platinum EVE, Non-ISRU (with capsule and sea-level landing) here