The months following the event 'Inventopia' were really productive for Keith.
When he had free time, he would either be working on improving his base's main computer or experimenting with jet propulsion.
He had already developped several programs for his computer such as a database for construction plans which would supply machines with instructions for the current needs of Keith's base. Another program let him access an interface making calculations, helping him in his everyday tasks.
He also developped a mini-game to test his knowledge on computer science and was proud of his work. It was a simple snake game, resembling one of those ancient games he was told about, but funny regardless.
As for now, he was currently working on an interface which would compute a lot of data to calibrate the best trajectories to put an object into orbit. There was so much informations to take into account that he would lose too much time doing those calculations himself. Moreover, the program would be able to update these trajectories in real time based on the planet inclination and other variables so he could establish the best date to take off into the skies.
Regarding his progress in the rocketry science, Keith has already looked up a few plans on the Internet. They were not that detailed, but it gave him a general idea on what he had to experiment. He had taken off three simple rockets by now and understood the concept behind the engine and the different types of propellants. He was still working on it, though, and mostly used solid propellants like gunpowder for now because they were easier to control.
He had planned to use kerosene for his next experimentations and although the process was a bit different than refining gasoline, the crafting system did help him evacuate any unwanted impurity in making his rocket fuel.
Keith was living a great life. His job was not really one of his dreams, but he enjoyed it nonetheless. It was simple, not too demanding but left him with new knowledge in manufacture. As a bonus, he could witness how successful such a business could be. There were not that many customers visiting the shop every day and taking into account the time he needed to provide for each item, it was not very remunerating.
Although sufficient for his needs, this kind of life was not what he was dreaming for. He wanted to work on big projects like those Mars travels he heard about all the time.
Unfortunately, access to resources was one of the biggest constraint he could foresee. There was no way for an individual like him to exploit his own ores like he did in Project Overworld and the price of said resources was something he could not even dream to afford. There was the solution of joining a big company providing him with the resources he needed, but this also meant he would not be free from doing whatever he wanted to do.
His dreams were though to accomplish, but Keith was not ready to despair yet.
'I have ideas, and I will make them work. Project Overworld is only my playground, but I'll have to test my designs someday in the real world.'
During these last few months, Keith also observed the progress of Midgard's citizen and other groups of players with great interest. Whenever he needed his machines to produce some construction parts, he would disconnect of the game and watch the streams of a few creative players.
The car model presented by the player named 'FancyGeorges' during the Inventopia was, sooner than later, being mass-produced by the city. This made Keith laugh quite a bit as he could not see how these slowish vehicles could contribute to the city more than a simple bike. However he understood players were proud of making something contemporary inside Project Overworld and was eager to discover what they will do next.
After all, he himself was quite proud of everything he has accomplished up until now.
Going into the open, Keith was ready for a test with his new rocket engine. For those kind of test he always traveled several miles away into a large and open area, in case something went wrong. The rockets he sent flying would damage the land below upon landing, and he did not want his base to suffer from this.
He was eager to test his new engine design, using a liquid propellant he refined from petrol. As a matter of fact, its structure was really different from a solid propellant engine. He had to use different pipes to control the influx of fuel and oxidizer being poured into the combustion chamber while cooling down the engine with the liquid fuel itself to prevent evaporation. Although this was more complex than using a solid fuel, it also allowed a much more controlled and steady thrust.
If he wanted to reach orbit, this type of propellant was a must.
Yet, the engine he made today was a miniature version of the one he made plans for. He only wanted to test for now, thus he could not afford wasting too much resources into something he would most certainly lose. He also had to simulate the other parts of the rocket by putting weight on top of the motor so having it as small as possible led to faster results.
The whole body of the rocket was only around seven feet tall, more than ten times smaller than the one he would be traveling into.
'Okay, let's ignite the engine. Launch sequence in 3... 2... 1...'
The rocket exploded into the air with a loud bang. In only a few seconds, it a mile away into the skies. After a whole minute and a half, Keith spotted a distant object falling off towards the horizon.
'Oops, I think I rashly misjudged the oxidizer to fuel ratio. Did I fail in the weighing calculations too?'
After this unsuccessful result, he climbed back onto his rover and drove to wherever the rocket landed. He wanted to reutilize as many parts as he could and he also had a few things to check on its frame.
Were there still fuel left in its engine or did some part burnt off during the take off? Those were the kind of questions Keith had to puzzle out before taking care of the real deal.
However when he would have sorted out all those different variables, he would be starting to use his own experience and knowledge instead of resting on various diagrams and plans he found online. Only then would he surpass what humanity has accomplished up until now and think of solutions for the future.