[DoughtyOne]

I'm not convinced you are wrong. My personal opinion is that the piggy-back system is a half-measure. I may be wrong with regard to that.

[RightWhale]

Just look at the design problem as if your were Rutan.

No messy first-stage rocket with huge motors and special, huge ground-support facilities. Just build the upper stage and the crew capsule. It's a much smaller problem and much cheaper. Almost anything would do for the crew capsule, it doesn't even need wings to make a soft landing near a convenient pick-up zone. A TIG welder and some of that special ceramic foam [I know somebody from Alfred] and you are in business.