The first reusable SSTO spacecraft

Design of a Delta Clipper single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) reusable spacecraft being developed in the McDonnel Douglas Space Systems Company (MDSSC) is described. This spacecraft will be capable of carrying relatively large numbers of small payloads (under 20,000) of the Strategic Defense Initiative Office. The Delta Clipper is considered to be a promising spacecraft to bring the cost of access to space down to the point when private enterprise can own and operate spacecraft.