Current space propulsion systems based on rocket technology alone place limits on the performance of launch vehicles, which leads to multistage vehicle configurations that are either expendable or only partly reusable. This results in complex launch systems that are both high maintenance and expensive to operate. REL's Skylon space plane, a fully reusable single-stage launch vehicle, addresses these drawbacks and could revolutionise future access to space by providing more efficient and reliable launch operations.
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