The new Neidon Prototype is transported to the launch site! Everyone is excited to see the new Aerospike engine perform! Smaller aerospikes are already used on the Laythe Spaceplanes, however they have never been a core rocket stage before!

In Mission Control, the project lead Gillian is working with Gene on testing this new hardware!

“Fire the engines! Nice… the toroidal aerospike is working! Fuel flow – nominal… I think we are good to release the clamps and proceed with the landing test!”
–Gillian

The Neidon rocket blasts off the launchpad! The prototype is only fueled with what the ‘expected’ fuel amount would be from a return from orbit!

After angling off to the south a bit, the rocket is programmed to begin its descent sequence! Air-brakes at the top of the rocket deploy….

And at the last second, the engine performs a terminal burn maneuver, firing at the last possible moment!

The hydraulic landing gear deploy and lock in place…

…and the rocket touches down safely!

“It worked! It worked!”
–Gillian

The Kerbals cheer in Mission Control, and Gene happily exclaims:

“Congratulations team! I think we are OK to go on producing the second Neidon and scheduling an upcoming orbital payload!”
-Val