KSP Linear Staging Example

Basic design with a higher LV-909 and a lower 48-7S

By placing a cubic octagonal strut below an engine you can have it active and producing thrust while stages are below it. It doesn't overheat the parts below it and this configuration allows dropping tanks individually instead of in pairs like asparagus does.

Done with KSP v0.21.1

Mods used during these examples
Mechjeb2 2.0.9.0
Engineer Redux 0.6.1.1

Mods used for this craft only
RemoteTech 0.5.0.1
Deadly Reentry 2.3

Mechjeb auto ascent is the same as below but with turn start set to 5km. Used 3304 dV of 4689 dV. 1385 dV remaining

Asparagus using LV-909 engine and dropping 4 tanks in groups of 2
4753 dV in hanger

Flight 1, top flight speed limited to terminal velocity
1370 dV left, 3383 dV used

Flight 2, acceleration limited to 23meters/second squared
1378 dV left, 3375 dV used

Linear using LV-909 engine and dropping 4 tanks individually
4810 dV in hanger

Flight 1, top flight speed limited to terminal velocity
1465 dV left 3345 dV used

Flight 2, acceleration limited to 23meters/second squared
1472 dV left 3338 dV used

Asparagus using Skipper engine and dropping 4 tanks in groups of 2
4986 dV in hanger

Flight 1, top flight speed limited to terminal velocity
1228 dV left 3758 dV used

Flight 2, acceleration limited to 23meters/second squared
1283 dV left 3703 dV used

Linear using Skipper engine and dropping 4 tanks iindividually
5022 dV in hanger

Flight 1, top flight speed limited to terminal velocity
crashed

Flight 2, acceleration limited to 23meters/second squared
crashed

Asparagus with SAS module using Skipper engine and dropping 4 tanks in groups of 2
4895 dV in hanger

Flight 1, top flight speed limited to terminal velocity
1120 dV left 3775 dV used

Flight 2, acceleration limited to 23meters/second squared
1182 dV left 3713 dV used

Linear with SAS module using Skipper engine and dropping 4 tanks individually
4931 dV in hanger

Flight 1, top flight speed limited to terminal velocity
1166 dV left 3765 dV used

Flight 2, acceleration limited to 23meters/second squared
1226 dV left 3705 dV used