Part 2: Mission: Ascender-2

Ascender-2 was a repeat of Ascender-1's basic system, only with several extra engine pods on the side to provide stability and additional thrust. One engineer figured that if rockets can push it one way, they can push it the other, and keep it on course. The idea was sound, but in practice, this became our first infamous rocket.



It did not explode on the pad or come apart as the naysayers had predicted. Like Ascender-1, the first few seconds were normal.



Jebediah Kerman again sat in the capsule, as we wanted an experienced pilot. It would be his second and last flight, and when we next saw him in person, it was scraping bits of uniform off of the wreckage.



The spacecraft spun rapidly, and would not respond to any attempts to steer it. Despite the mission calling for a similar turn, it remained stable-too stable. We considered the complex process of individually shutting down several engines, but Jebediah was either disoriented by the spinning or enjoying it too much to follow it.



The chute deployed normally at first after the capsule reached its greatest altitude. We had anticipated another rough landing, but not what actually happened.



When the chute opened in full near the end of the trip, it broke off. This was likely due to an already inadequate chute being pushed past its limits, but sabotage from a disgruntled pilot who wanted to fly instead of Jeb had been whispered. Jebediah Kerman was seemingly unaware of this as it began to fall rapidly.



Ascender-2 landed on one of its fuel tanks, which exploded. The capsule was knocked free of the main tank.



As the rest of the spacecraft blew up around him, Jeb became aware of his death about a second before it actually happened.



The capsule exploded, killing its occupant immediately.



The support beams for the external rockets were the only surviving portions of Ascender-2.



Our first fatal wreck came sooner, rather than later. RIP, Jebediah Kerman. Though I may be grasping for silver linings, the premise of using the power of other rockets to stabilize the capsule was partially validated. We are already working on a smaller, balanced version, in the hope that Jebediah's death will not be in vain.