Halfway to Anywhere

A look at America's space programme, examining what progress it has made in recent years. It relates the story of the development and future potential of the reusable Single-Stage-To-Orbit (SSTO) spaceship, and an experimental rocket, the DC-X, built from parts scrounged from space junk yards.

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This is a discussion of America's space programme, examining the progress it has made in recent years. It relates the story of the development and future potential of the reusable Single-Stage-To-Orbit (SSTO) spaceship, and an experimental rocket, the DC-X, built from parts scrounged from space junk yards. The DC-X first flew in 1993 and was repeatedly flown and tested until 1995, proving the concepts of reliability and quick turnaround. The author describes SSTO as economical, reliable, on-demand space transportation of people and cargoes to and from low Earth orbit early in the 21st century. He argues that commercial spaceships that operate like airliners are both possible and profitable.