Mission 2: The Jebedorbiter

MISSION GOAL: Make Jeb go really fast around Kerbin.
MISSION RESULT: SUCCESS.
NOTES: Use more boosters next time.

MISSION LOG

Our engineers have been burning the midnight candles. Or whatever the hell the saying is. They've come up with this concept called the "liquid fuel engine". Apparently there's some kind of pump involved... It gives us control over the throttle, which is a much different, more lame approach compared to SRBs, which burn full throttle all the time in true badass fashion.

But in the name of science, we'll hold off on the SRBs and make use of these new engines to see if we can use 'em to get Jeb into orbit. We call this new craft: THE JEBEDORBITER.

To improve your rocket, add shitloads of boosters underneath it.

Oh, did I say we'll hold off on the SRBs? What I meant was, we'll use seven gigantic ones and then stick some of that weenie liquid engine crap on top. Aside from being way bigger and therefore more badass than our last rocket, this design has the added benefit of being hard to maneuver and incredibly powerful. Our engineers have guessed that this thing will nearly burn up in the atmosphere as it's taking off, which will be sweet to watch.

The pride of Kerbin, thrusting hard into the sky in a Manley fashion.

We used the same ascent pattern as before, and Jeb ditched those SRBs like a sack of old potatoes once they ran out of fuel. I hate to admit it, but those liquid engines actually did a pretty good job.

Liquidy fresh.

With just two minutes until apoapsis (and therefore the start of the orbital burn), Jeb declared that he was going outside for some "fresh air." Turns out he was just taking a selfie.

@JebKerman #GravityCantHoldMeDown Amirite?

Eventually Jeb got his green ass back into the capsule and finished circularizing his orbit. We apparently over-engineered his rocket a bit, because he had WAY too much fuel left over by the time it was all done. According to Kerbals, leftover fuel at the end of a mission is a sign of weakness, because you could have used that fuel to burn something or fly really fast at/around/near something. 

Needless to say, Jeb will be on disciplinary leave after this mission, for his excess fuel issues.

BUT ANYWAYS. Orbit achieved.

AW YEAH GIRL LOOK AT DAT CIRCLE.

Nothing major to report on the landing, although Jeb did attempt to make his capsule backflip using its built-in reaction wheels. It worked. After a quick vote of the board of directors, we have removed Jeb's disciplinary leave due to the sweetness levels of the capsule backflip.