This capability has been called into question recently. According to several recent studies, SSTO technology has the capability of reducing launching costs by a factor of 10. The simplicity of these rockets will increase their reliability as well as reduce their cost, making it very feasible to increase greatly the amount of material sent into space. This ability is important for several reasons. First, and perhaps foremost, it will greatly increase our military capabilities.
Modern warfare is highly dependent on satellite communications.
U.S. troop movement was so dependent on satellite communications during the Persian Gulf War that one commander refused to move soldiers under his command for 30 minutes when communications were temporarily lost. Part of the problem was not too few satellites to launch, but inadequate launchers to get the satellites into space when and where they were needed. Second, for research applications, SSTO would prove similarly beneficial. Lower launch costs would allow NASA to spend far more on research. Finally, SSTO would enable the United States to recapture the commercial market.