"This time we are going to get it right, " said Mr Bennett, who has simplified the design to give Starchaser 3A a single, more powerful first stage motor.

BBC: Rocket man chases a dream

J-1's first stage, and Nissan will complete a liquid-methane-fuelled motor that it has in the works for the second stage.

ECONOMIST: Sayonara, spaceflight?

Dr Baker reckons that costs can be cut if the launch rocket uses the satellite's guidance computer instead of having its own, and if the satellite's built-in rocket motor is bolstered to do the work now performed by a launch rocket's upper stage.

ECONOMIST: Space