Danes in spaaaaaaaaaaccceeee!!!

[Raptor1]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

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?

I think part of the reason is that you have to carry different fuels and different drives, making the whole thing entirely too complicated and heavy