I'm all for multiple low-power burns, in fact that would probably be the most intelligent thing to do. I have succeeded in boosting to a higher orbit from LEO with a total 120kN thrust, but it was all done in the Orbiter simulator which doesn't account for stresses to the vehicle being pushed. So, that's where I have to really start thinking about what I'm doing in there. (hence this thread
)
The thing of it is, I'm actually thinking of trying to send something the size of the ISS to the moon and back using that simulator. What I've put together so far is balanced well enough that I can dock four thrusters to it (each one puts out 40kN main thrust), fire them all at full power and still maintain prograde orientation. The problem in my mind is, when I try to put this thing into a trans-lunar injection I will need all of that power. Will the station hold together, or will it tear apart? If anything goes it would be the weakest link in the chain; the CBM ports that hold it all together.