I have a question for the space buffs out there, and sadly it does not involve the long-awaited ascension of Denmark to the rank of space-vikings, but it is somewhat topical, and has been bugging me for a long time.
Why do we not simply use an aerodynamic aircraft with jet and rocket engines to attain orbit? It would have to be more efficient than just using rockets all the way, right? I thought that was the premise that Spaceship One was based upon. If they can get that thing into low orbit for less than a million dollars, why does everyone continue to insist upon using rockets alone?
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