Following the discussion innocently started by @ChrisG_NSF - was the Space Shuttle a rocket?
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So what about the external tank? What about it - I say! The external tank is lifted up by the SSME's all the way from ground to near-orbit. How is this any different from conventional "stick" rockets? 8/10
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This type of configuration requires more complicated plumbing but it allows the Orbiter the luxury of being smaller (it's still huge, though) since it just dumps the fuel tank once it's done with it, and then it can land back without all the excess mass! 9/10
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I have to conclude that the Space Shuttle is indeed a rocket. Maybe it doesn't look like what some people think a rocket is "supposed" to look like - it's certainly a very special kind of rocket - but it checks all the boxes. /end
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