Needleship 'Spenrow'

Needleships are the designed to fill the gap between dedicated planetary surface to space shuttles and SSTO (single stage to orbit) space craft. While the price for maintenance of these craft is cheap relative to other interplanetary starships, their costs still place them out of the range of private civilian ownership. The closest 21st century comparison would place them in the similar range as privately owned corporate jets.

Needleships are capable of interplanetary travel, but not interstellar, due to lack of any form of faster than light drive. The living section of the Spenrow can hold a crew of 6 with room enough for 10 passengers to enjoy their voyage in luxury.