[no-s]

We don't need ssto to get to space inexpensively. Two stages are fine. The first stage can even be air-breathing and re-usable. The key is to stop looking for esoteric solutions in order to get cost-plus govt contracts. Use some of the stuff we already know how to do, i.e. applied science. Experiment. Get there first. The solar system based economy has the potential to be multiple orders of magnitude larger than earth. The founders will be bigger than all of earth's moguls several times over.

[Movemout]

You are definitely on the right track. A two stage system with one or both stages being reusable (bimese concept) is well within our technical capability today. The problem is getting NASA to ask for it. The private sector bids on what NASA asks for. If you chase after "esoteric" stuff then you never have to take the final exam. If you don't take the exam then you don't have to worry about the grade.