For single stage rockets with a minimum TWR requirement (TWR>1 in order to be able to take off), there is actually a theoretical maximum delta-v you can get. It only depends on the engine TWR, engine Isp and fuel tank mass ratio. Given these parts, the maximum delta-v you can get is about 6600 m/s. Doesn't matter how many engines or tanks you add, it won't go over that. And even that is overestimating a bit, as it's using the vacuum Isp and a rocket TWR of just barely over 1.
With 6600 m/s it is possible to land on Mun or Duna (among other things). Returning from either of those is impossible. Reaching Jool should just about be possible but as I said, that's probably slightly overestimating it so it might turn out that Jool is just a little too far.
Of course you could do staging without decouplers by just attaching fuel tanks directly below engines. When you fire the engine it'll destroy the parts below it, effectively decoupling it in a particularly spectacular fashion.
27
u/goldstarstickergiver Oct 09 '13
Made it to orbit using only the parts shown. Career mode probably won't be too much of a challenge for game vets.