Single-stage unmanned rocket launching thousands of feet without a pilot, moving through the air and landing back in its original position (1991)

"The pictures and video below show the amazing single-stage rocket launching thousands of feet without a pilot, moving through the air and landing back in its original position -- on its tail.
That was one of several successful launches, others of which saw the rocket reach as high as 10,000 feet, according to The Learning Channel video’s narrator. The DCXA could lift off on its power without the need for separate throw-away boosters.
The unmanned reusable prototype was built by American aerospace manufacturer McDonnell Douglas in conjunction with the U.S. Defense Department’s Strategic Defense Initiative Organization from 1991 to 1993.
It was originally called the DC-X"


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