On: Unmanned U.S. Air Force space plane lands after se...

[nradov]

You might think so, but the difficulty doesn't scale linearly with size and weight. For example there's a practical upper bound on airbags to absorb landing shock; we can't just build larger ones for a capsule carrying humans.

[hawkesnest → nradov]

I would imagine that the airbag solution would be rather unpleasant for humans, even if it were possible/practical.

[knz → hawkesnest]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zorbing

People pay for a similar experience! ;)

[T-A → hawkesnest]

https://youtu.be/PFeVHOmEvi8?t=1m7s

[bjd2385 → nradov]

Not at all what I was referring to in my comment. But, yes, you're entirely accurate regarding the airbags. (:

[godelski → nradov]

Not to mention that when you add fuel you now need more fuel for the added mass of that fuel. And....