Spaceplanes: The Return of the Reusable Spacecraft?
bbc.com
bbc.com
Concorde struggled to get off the ground, even more than a Boeing 737. The SR-71 was OK in terms of range and fuel efficiency but took off with just enough fuel to meet a tanker.
Real hypersonic vehicles get 25g acceleration on reentry with little fins that look like tiny bat wings you'd draw on an anime character.