The British Skylon single-stage-to-orbit space plane would take off from a runway and fly on air-breathing hydrogen-fueled rocket engines for much of its ascent through the atmosphere.
When the air becomes too thin, Skylon switches to onboard liquid oxygen.
Skylon’s payload bay carries both passengers and cargo, although the craft itself is controlled remotely and has no onboard pilots.
Source SPACE.com: All about our solar system, outer space and exploration.
Source: http://www.space.com/32112-how-skylon-space-plane-works-infographic.html
