Wings aren't the only way. Both Elon Musk (SpaceX) and Jeff Bezos (Blue Origin) are pursuing reusable launch vehicles that land vertically by gimbaling and thro

Wings aren't the only way. Both Elon Musk (SpaceX) and Jeff Bezos (Blue Origin) are pursuing reusable launch vehicles that land vertically by gimbaling and throttling the rocket engines. This isn't wishful thinking either -- both have already done some initial low altitude VTVL tests. Videos here: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/22/spacexs-grasshopper-vertical-takeoff-vertical-landing-rocke/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/22/spacexs-grasshopper-verti... http://www.blueorigin.com/updates/updates-2011-11-17-video-of-the-short-hop-flight.html http://www.blueorigin.com/updates/updates-2011-11-17-video-o...