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Minimalist Orbital Launcher I

"Less is more."

Ultra low-tech stock ship to get one Kerbal into orbit, ideal for beginners.
Requires General Rocketry (30 science total) and a pilot.
Can be launched without any facility upgrades *)

MinOrLau I: 1x Thumper, 1x Swivel
Delta-v: about 1000 m/s left in low Kerbin orbit
TWR: 1.42 at Kerbin sea level
Mass: 17.990 t *)
Price: 5,470
Recovery value: ~1,000 (at 100%)

*) to keep the launch mass under 18 tons you need to remove the EVA Jetpack from the inventory of the pilot (right-click the command pod in VAB).

NOTE: there are no batteries on board, turn off SAS [T] when not in use to conserve energy!

Launch procedure (KSC - Kerbin Orbit)
- Launch from VAB, assign a pilot, remove EVA Jetpack *)
- Your heading before launch should already be east (90°)
- In bottom left corner switch from stage view to maneuver view, this shows your apoapsis height
- [T] Engage SAS (you need a pilot for this)
- [Stage 3] Lift off straight up
- Keep pointed straight up until Thumper burns out
- [Stage 2] Jettison Thumper and engage Swivel
- Start your gravity turn by pitching down at medium rate
- Stop your turn when you are pointed ~ 20° above the horizon
- At about 25 km altitude you can start to point prograde and throttle down a little
- Your apoapsis height and climb speed should always be rising during the gravity turn
- Keep burning prograde until your apoapsis is above the atmosphere (70 km)
- Keep pointed prograde after burn to reduce drag
- Wait with circularization burn until you are almost at apoapsis (climb rate ~ 10 m/s)
- Only use minimal throttle during circularization, burn prograde until periapsis is above 70 km
- [T] Turn off SAS to conserve batteries

Reentry procedure (Kerbin Orbit - KSC)
- Wait in orbit until you are on the opposite side of the bay east of KSC
- [T] Engage SAS
- Turn so that you are pointed retrograde
- Do gentle burn until your periapsis is at 38.5 km
- [T] Disengage SAS to conserve batteries
- Wait until you hit the atmosphere
- [T] Engage SAS and point radial out to increase drag, heading 270°
- Keep pointed radial out until ~ 35 km altitude
- At ~ 35 km SAS will be overwhelmed, pitch to retrograde before this
- [T] Disengage SAS
- [Stage 1] Ditch the upper stage when you are some kilometers from KSC
- [Stage 0] Engage parachutes when speed drops below 300 m/s
- Touchdown!