Mitster takes off in the X-2! The flight is a success, and is a good practice run for Mitster – he checks out and is ready for piloting a real rocket! His place on an upcoming Horizon mission is guaranteed now!
X-2
Year 1, Day 105
Designs are finalized for the X-2 Experimental Training Rocket. This craft uses the same RT-20 boosters from the Horizon Rockets, as well as the Horizon Command Pod, but features larger wings for more stable flight.
The X-2 is designed to reach orbital altitudes to simulate launches, and for pilots to practice re-entry and splash down! Mitster will be its first pilot… once he’s done training in the X-1 that is!
Year 1, Day 103 (Horizon 4 Launch)
It’s Val’s turn! Horizon 4 takes off from KSC! 
The final orbit is a very clean 80k. Nice work!
That’s quite the view!
Uh oh! As some scientists had warned, the science pods on the side of the reentry capsule were exposed to excessive heat, and exploded as Val entered the atmosphere. “That loud bang was quite the scare! Not something you want to hear as you see fire out the window!” 
Val and the Horizon 4 pod set down nicely in the desert, and recovery teams head out to rescue her. Not a perfect mission, but a success!
Meanwhile construction of an X-1 begins to use in training. Engineers also begin designing an X-2, as a more capable short range training rocket. Mitster is excited to try out both!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 