David Spain writes:

The problem as with all these concepts is that SS Jr. needs a friendly
place to land or there is no 'shuttle' component to the concept.

Well, I overlooked the most obvious solution to this problem. SS Jr. aka
USV is orbital, ergo, UAV is deployed in orbit and retro'd back into the
atmosphere over target. USV then continues orbiting until a return to
launch point window opens then flown home.

Well, duh. Sorry Pat....

Dave

PS: This *does* complicate the UAV a bit, it will need a TPS as well as
the USV. But it's small and fairly lightweight, that should help.