SSTO is not a desired lift system. You have too much wasted weight and space to contain all the fuel cells to power the rocket. At minimum you need a hybrid SSTO like several tested using towing or aircraft piggyback systems (like SpaceShipOne/Two) to get the initial launch so that there is not that waste of space. The other option would be to use Electromagnetic Railgun technology that's finally coming of age for large weights and high speeds to give that initial "kick" that boosters give.
One thing to note on the "SLS", it's a 2.5 stage to orbit. As such, the only part not reused is the uppermost stage. The First stage and Boosters will be recovered and available for reuse.
News: Space Launch System
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Chris Trott
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