Build a reusable spacecraft

Motivation
Rockets are novel and exciting. They're a great learning experience. They could be used to launch useful little detectors into space. Small satellites could be launched. Detectors could be made to fall back down to earth and measure the properties of the atmosphere as they descend.

Understanding
A reusuable spacecraft could be a small spacecraft. It doesn't need to be big enough to carry a person. A spacecraft the diameter of a coffee cup could be launched into space on a relatively small rocket. Small satellites could be launched into orbit. Robots could be dropped onto the moon or other targets. As long as the main rocket can be reused then you could call it a reusable spacecraft.

Method 1

 * 1) Make a reusable rocket that has enough fuel to carry it all the way into space from the surface of the earth.
 * 2) Decide upon the type of fuel that will power the rocket.
 * 3) Create the electronics that would be needed to trigger the rocket launch from a safe distance.
 * 4) Calculate how much fuel it would need based on how large the final launch mass would be.
 * 5) Use a lathe to shape an aluminium tube to create the body of the rocket.
 * 6) Decide on an aerodynamic shape.
 * 7) Note down the measurements for the lathe worker to use as a guide.
 * 8) Spin the aluminium in the lathe and shave it down to the desired shape.
 * 9) Fill the rocket with its fuel and launch electronics.
 * 10) Put the payload into the rocket.
 * 11) Secure everything in place so that it won't shake loose with the vibrations and motions from the launch.
 * 12) Point the rocket upwards so that it' ready to be launched.