Regression testing of basic features with mandatory dependencies

Set up a copy of the game with the following installed in GameData:

• SDHI SMS release candidate
• Animated Decouplers plugin 1.3.1 (Starwaster)
• RealChute plugin v1.4.1.1 (stupid_chris)
• Module Manager v2.6.25 (sarbian)
• MechJeb 2.5.8 (sarbian)*

*For easy and consistent tests

Assemble a basic SDHI SMS stack:

• Use stock solar panels and RCS thrusters on the Service Module
• Disable the shrouds on the LV-909 "Terrier" Liquid Engine before attaching the adapter
• First stage should be capable of reaching a 100km equatorial orbit

Test results:

• Basic SDHI SMS stack assembly
  • Parts assembled with little to no difficulty
  • Umbilical port retrofit on Mk1-2 Pod can be enabled in VAB/SPH editor scene
  • Staging icons appear and are correct
  • Action Group editor for RealChutes PartModule on docking ports are disabled
• Pad abort test
  • Mk1-2 Pod decouples from SM module after umbilical animation plays out in full
  • LES lifts Mk1-2 Pod away from rocket cleanly to an altitude of at least 1 km
  • LES can be steered using integral SolidFuel RCS thruster
  • Mk1-2 Pod shroud jettisoned at apex of trajectory with no issues
  • Parachute lands Mk1-2 Pod safely at ~6 m/s
• In-flight abort test
  • Rocket reaches altitude of at least 2 km before triggering abort
  • Mk1-2 Pod decouples from SM module after umbilical animation plays out in full
  • LES lifts Mk1-2 Pod away from rocket cleanly
  • LES can be steered using integral SolidFuel RCS thruster
  • Mk1-2 Pod shroud jettisoned at apex of trajectory with no issues
  • Parachute lands Mk1-2 Pod safely at ~6 m/s
• Orbital testing (100 km circular orbit using MechJeb)
  • Solar Panels and RCS thrusters non-operable while side fairings are intact
  • LES, Mk1-2 Pod shroud and side fairings jettisoned via normal staging with no issues
  • Solar Panels and RCS thrusters operational after side fairings jettison via staging
  • SM adapter decouples from SM with no issues
  • Fairingless LV-909 engine operates with no issues
• Atmospheric re-entry (ballistic trajectory)
  • Mk1-2 Pod decouples from SM module after umbilical animation plays out in full
  • Mk1-2 Pod, parachute-equipped docking port and heat shield survives re-entry with acceptable losses in Abalative Shielding
  • Parachute lands Mk1-2 Pod safely at ~6 m/s

Regression testing of additional features with supported add-ons

• Deadly Reentry Continued plugin v7.4.5.1 (NathanKell / Starwaster)
  • Mk1-2 Pod, parachute-equipped docking port and heat shield survives re-entry with acceptable losses in Abalative Shielding
  • Other SMS components are destroyed during re-entry
• TAC Life Support plugin v0.12.2 (TaranisElsu / danfarnsy)
  • Mk1-2 Pod correctly shows, for a typical crew of three, eight days' worth of Food/Waste Storage and three day's worth of all other consumables/waste storage
  • Addition of SM to Mk1-2 correctly shows, for a typical crew of three, eight days' worth of all consumables/waste storage
• Ship Manifest plugin v 5.1.0.0 and Connected Living Spaces API plugin v1.2.1.5 (Papa_Joe)
  • Crew can be transferred through both docking port variants

At the time of writing, the release candidate passed all but the side fairing jettision regression tests.

Further fixes are in progress.

Side fairings have been reworked to my satisfaction.

Release candidate is ready for documentation and deployment.