[T.B. Yoits]

The artist rendered a far outdated design. Rutan’s “shuttlecock” design eliminates the need for expensive insulating tiles for entry at high speeds.

[Red Badger]

Looks more like a Wiffleball...................

[DiogenesLamp]

The artist rendered a far outdated design. Rutan’s “shuttlecock” design eliminates the need for expensive insulating tiles for entry at high speeds.

That only works for short hops just barely above the atmosphere. If Rutan's design ever got into orbit, it would burn up on reentry.

The heat produced by orbital velocities colliding with air is just incredible, and i'm not even sure SpaceX's stainless steel "Starship" can take the heat.

[Jotmo]

Reentry from orbit, versus falling back down from straight up at nowhere near orbital altitude, are entirely different things.

Heat shielding will be necessary unless they can carry enough fuel to burn and control their descent and lateral velocity all the way back to earth.

And because we are still in the chemical rocket stage of space travel, that will not happen with a SSTO.