Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This is a test of Grid fins with the new FireFly Re-Entry Mod by Mirage Dev. One user reported that zooming in on them during re-entry significantly slowed the game to 9-12 fps. I suspect its more zooming into the Tundra Exploration Rocket that was causing the slow-down and not the grid fins or the mod (so maybe custom collision meshes are needed for that mod?).
Anyway, down we go to the KSC!
Get the Mod here or on CKAN: spacedock.info/mod/3813/Firefly
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This is a test of Grid fins with the new FireFly Re-Entry Mod by Mirage Dev. One user reported that zooming in on them during re-entry significantly slowed the game to 9-12 fps. I suspect its more zooming into the Tundra Exploration Rocket that was causing the slow-down and not the grid fins or the mod (so maybe custom collision meshes are needed for that mod?).
Anyway, down we go to the KSC!
Get the Mod here or on CKAN: spacedock.info/mod/3813/Firefly
Join the Discord Discussion on your favorite games ➡️ discord.gg/8GgsGx8Vf7
Support Children's Hospitals via my Extra Life Campaign!
extra-life.org/participant/PicoSpaceIndustries
My Current Gaming Set-up (Affiliate Links / Paid links)
CPU: AMD Ryan 9 5800X ➡️ amzn.to/45C1pBK
GPU: Zotac GeForce RTX 3070 ➡️ amzn.to/3SsfbnJ
MOBO: ASUS TUF X570 ➡️amzn.to/3Q9YV7O
RAM: 16x4 G.Skill TridentZ ➡️amzn.to/3M7NDj9
M.2 Drives: SAMSUNG PRO SSDs (Gaming Drives) ➡️ amzn.to/471lMt7
SSD: Western Digital Internal SSD (Storage Drives) ➡️ amzn.to/3FqIuyW
Mouse: Ducky Feather Lightweight Gaming Mouse ➡️ amzn.to/3Qqtxn4
Keyboard: Razen Deathstalker (I have V1 link to V2) ➡️ amzn.to/474UUZn
Monitor: 27" LG Ultra Fine➡️ amzn.to/3SC46zk



![Testing out AVIOs Mini Starship Recreation in Kerbal
🚀 In this episode we fire up Kerbal Space Program and test out a bold reusable upper stage concept inspired by recent real-world European developments (see the article from European Space Agency) currently under development by AVIO: https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/09/esa-will-pay-an-italian-company-nearly-50-million-to-design-a-mini-starship/
We’ll launch a relay satellite, deploy it into orbit, and then attempt to bring the upper stage back to the Kerbal Space Center for landing/recovery (mostly!).
🔧 What you’ll see:
0:00 Launch sequence
0:57 Orbital insertion of the relay satellite
1:23 Return attempt of the upper stage: atmospheric re-entry
5:23 Landing burn, and touchdown
Commentary on what worked, what didn’t, and lessons learned for future missions
This is a prototype build and experiment in visualizing European-style reusability in KSP—expect fun, physics, failures, and hopefully a graceful recovery!
👉 If you enjoyed this flight test and want to see more of this series (including full Kerbonaut rescue missions, faction-style campaigns, or puppet story tie-ins), hit the LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE, and ring the notification bell so you don’t miss future launches.
✉️ Drop a comment to let me know your thoughts: Should the upper stage make a perfect landing next time? What features would you like to see?
Visit our channel: [link to your channel]
Thanks for flying with us!
Plus: a quick shout-out to the real-world inspiration—Europe’s push for reusable upper stages via the ESA/Avio contract.
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#SpaceExploration #Docking #RescueMission #SpaceGaming #PicoSpaceIndustries #KerbalSpaceProgram #KSP #ReusableRocket #SpaceSimulation #EuropeSpace #KSPLaunch #RocketRecovery #IndieGameDev #SpaceGaming
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📡 About PicoSpace Industries
I create cinematic & chaotic Space adventures — from daring rescue missions to interstellar disasters — with mods, realism, and occasional explosions.
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• Mouse: Ducky Feather ➡️ https://amzn.to/3Qqtxn4
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• Monitor: 27 LG Ultra Fine ➡️ https://amzn.to/3SC46zk Testing out AVIOs Mini Starship Recreation in Kerbal](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iVuMTGGsfBg/mqdefault.jpg)






