Neptune IX

The Neptune IX Spacecraft was the second successful spacecraft designed by Warning von Brown and engineered by the SIA. It currently stands as the largest flying object in Antarctica's history, and the tallest structure on Shops Island at the time of construction.

Background
The spacecraft was designed for a trip to the moon. To get it there, it was designed with 9 separate stages of rocket boosters, hence the IX in the name. There are so many stages due to slightly inferior rocket technology compared to other nations. It is also due to to the rocket running on kerosene rather than liquid hydrogen. However, there would be no point in going to the moon considering other penguins had been there first. So, the SIA set a more lofty goal: Establish the largest permanent base ever established on the moon. This base was 5 times larger than Yow's, and held twice as many penguins. This needed a massive rocket, and so the Neptune IX was built for that purpose.

Usage
The spacecraft functions like its predecessor, basically, although it can reach the Moon. At launch, the first stage ignites to lift the rocket off the launch pad. The first 4 stages lift the rocket clear out of Earth's atmosphere, and another 3 to reach Earth's orbit. Once the rocket reaches orbit, final checks are made and the final 2 stages of the rocket are used to get the rocket to the Moon.

Once it approaches the Moon, it breaks into orbit. Then, the spent fuel stages break away and float off into space. The capsule and cargo bay, however, remain in Lunar orbit. The cargo bay separates from the capsule and lands on the Moon's surface, along with all the supplies to build a permanent base. Afterwards, the capsule also lands on the surface. The astronauts on board can then get off and start the building of the base.

Afterwards, the astronauts will re-board the capsule which will lift off the Moon with an applied set of rocket boosters, and head back to earth. From there, the capsule would splash into the ocean somewhere in the Asiapelago.

Impacts
Due to the truly devastating impacts of a 9-stage rocket, this vehicle was only used once. The liftoff caused many injuries and fatalities in itself. The liftoff was so powerful it created a shock wave that killed or seriously injured anyone within 10 miles of the launch site. Anyone within 20 miles of the launch site would have suffered hearing loss due to the extreme sound of the rocket boosters. It was classified as the largest object in Antarctica's history, hitting a record 250db and setting off earthquake sensors all over the Asiapelago, some even as far as Gensou Island. Due to all these, the spacecraft was only used once.

Trivia

 * The design is a parody of the Soviet Union's N-1 Rocket.