For those of you who really hate using the science lab:

[horndgmium]

I made this because I hate using the lab. Included are 7 materials labs, one mystery goo container (meh, could add more, but... it's mystery goo). I cleaned out ALL of Minmus's biomes in one trip, and returned safely (flats, lowlands, highlands, midlands, poles; I got flying over Minmus and high over Minmus as well). That's a lot of surface samples for science. Plus, all of the side engines are detachable in the instance of a sudden need for more TWR (AKA, lithobraking aversion). It even has thermometers! To measure the temperature! In Kelcius!

This way, no need to lug around a huge lab for a tiny bonus in science, when you can clean out a planet in one go.

Kethane used for refueling, and MechJeb used for all of your spontaneous whims (I only have maneuver planner unlocked so far though )

This version is meant to max out science from any planet/moon. However, it would be quite easy to add more goo/labs/science tools to be able to hit multiple planets/moons in one trip (you'd definitely need kethane for that kind of endeavor though).

On the launchpad, lifter sold separately. (I can upload it if wanted, mine gives 10k dV but you'll need novapunch [i think that's all])

In the VAB on my Launch Vehicle. Launched into a 250km orbit easy.

On a Duna escape to Kerbin. I forgot to take pictures while I was capturing. AND while I was on Ike. Whoops?

Coming in to Kerbin way too fast. (I have Deadly Reentry, so I set my periapsis to 45k, burned retro, orbited, got locked into Kerbins surface, and to avoid overheating I kept burning directly away from the surface in order to get slowed by the atm without losing too much altitude). Light on dV, light on death.

Splashing down, enough dV left to come down softly while you finish the snacks for the mission. I did a partially powered landign for the parachute opening, but idk if it's necessary. Partly powered on splashdown too, but without it happens at 6.4 m/s.

1500 science from my Ike mission (plus EVA and crew reports not included)

Touching down on Minmus

1600 science from my Minmus mission (plus EVA and crew reports not included). I managed to kill a kerbal on EVA by trying to go ice fishing using his head to drill a hole . Good thing the pod holds three!

Oh and I forgot to mention... you get about 3800 dV even without Kethane refueling. Perfect for anything in Kerbin's SOI

Craft File: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9zaer9gy9nkhtj8/Lester%202%20No%20lift.craft

Best of all, it's easy to use no matter your skill level. Easy to mess around with for your needs as well.

Uses MechJeb and Kethane. I can upload without these if anyone wants that.

No refunds.

Enjoy!

Edited December 26, 2013 by horndgmium