The idea is not to slowly fly to orbit and back - it is for the stages to fall to earth and then decelerate from terminal velocity to a gentle landing. The rea

The idea is not to slowly fly to orbit and back - it is for the stages to fall to earth and then decelerate from terminal velocity to a gentle landing. The reason for these tests is to develop the technology required to do that. According to Musk, fuel accounts for only 0.3% of the costs of a launch, so a re-usable rocket could achieve significant cost savings even though it would require more fuel.