Leavin' Kerbin - A Kerbalized Space Race

[Petrovich]

Leavin' Kerbin

The History of a Kerbalized Space Race

It was not long after the Last Great War had ended.  The forces of Evil had been vanquished, the planet was now at peace... for about two minutes until, while prepping for a summit, the leaders of the two superpowers, the USK and the UKKR, had a disagreement over what kind of chilli they would bring, beans or no-beans.  The argument started to spiral out of control when other nations' leaders got involved and took sides.  The row escalated to such a degree that the two superpowers used their new rocket technology, developed during the war, to build nuclear tipped missiles to threaten each other with until one would admit the other's chilli preference was superior.  Kerbals in both nations quickly realized this was an unproductive use of such rockets and suggested ways to use them to explore space.  This idea would be slow to the uptake until one fateful day...

 

Edited May 23, 2019 by Petrovich

[KerballingSmasher]

Oooooh sounds cool! Can't wait to see moar!

[Petrovich]

New Moon

The USK and allies were on edge, the UKKR had successfully tested a new ballistic missile design that had the capability hit strategic locations on the other side of the planet from the heart of the Motherland.  However, this rocket's capabilities would not be fully tested until the next launch.

With spirits high and temperatures low at the Baikerbanur launch site another K-7 rocket stands proudly in its clamps.  Ready to fire, ready to hit its target.

Engines ignite and...

Liftoff!

The K-7 shakely enters its flightpath, carrying its fateful payload to a course that will change history.

As the boosters separate, allied radar spots and tracks the missile.  Its flightpath is taking it farther than the previous test flight, leading to some fearing that it's a first strike attack, while others were confused that it was overshooting certain targets.

The K-7's engine sputters out and the payload is released in orbit

Soon after, the UKKR announces the successful launch of the first artificial satellite, Stayputnik 1

The public's imagination is captured.  Many fear the ramifications of an orbital craft from the UKKR, others are dazzled by this feat of engineering.  One thing was for certain, the USK needed to act quickly to catch up with its enemy...

Edited May 24, 2019 by Petrovich

[KerballingSmasher]

oooooooh... cool!

[Barzon]

@Petrovich, for launch sites, I would recommend this: