I am nearly weeping with pride...

[James_Eh]

So, with my nearly 400 T Eve lander (nickname THUMP) having completed Kerbin testing, I began wrestling with the idea that somehow I had to get the damn thing into orbit, along with a drive section sufficient to get to and from Eve, plus detach and deorbit at Eve (really, I need every drop of that fuel to be with me upon landing, can't waste it on the deorbit burn).

It is of course a heavily staged contraption, keeping Eve TWR >1.4 (avg 1.7).

My 15 yr-old son (who excels at planes and really fast rovers, but leaves the rocketry to me) suggested that I just launch it as is from Kerbin, but not stage off any parts. Then refuel in orbit. Rather than build some kind of MASSIVE lifter for it.

I felt he was crazy. To prove it I stuck a docking port onto the side, and launched. As stages depleted, my hands kept twitching towards the space bar, but I desisted.

<Sigh.> Am now at 100 kM circular orbit, sending up fuel SSTOs. I lose again, but win in the sense that the kid is better than me...

[Red Iron Crown]

I lose again

You're playing KSP with your teenager? That's a win any way you cut it.

[Aethon]

Nice story. Can he beat you at basketball yet?

[Thomas988]

That kid is better than me, too! I haven't been to Eve (legitimately). And SSTOs are the bane of my existence. We have an Einstein Jr. over here!

[juanml82]

Well done. My only successful mission to Eve's surface was in such monstrosities. I'm planning another one with a lighter lander now. Remember you can send your kerbal back to orbit (well, and into Eve as well) in a lander seat instead of a lander can and, if you're bringing science equipment, there is no need to take it back to orbit.

[magnemoe]

That is a pretty good idea, I use it a lot for large interplanetary ships. Yes, it works even better then you can mine kethane on Minmus.

An tips for interplanetary ships with LV-N is to add some chemical engines like a skipper or mainsail at bottom docking port to increase TWR

[Liowen]

No matter how you sliced it you have won at the better game...the one of life! +Rep sir +rep indeed

[worir4]

You're playing KSP with your teenager? That's a win any way you cut it.

I win twice?

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