An aero-assisted pre-stage (10) with a commensurably large wing area having a short-burn rocket propulsion system providing sufficient thrust is used to launch a variety of single-stage and multiple-stage space vehicles (20), such as conventional ballistic rockets and prospective spaceplanes, from conventional runways. This method of launch eliminates the need for dedicated ground launch structures and/or dedicated long runways. The vehicle to be launched (20) is mated to this aero-assisted pre-stage (AP) (10), with their flight directions aligned, using a lock-and-release mechanism (30). The resulting stack takes off like a conventional airplane using the propulsion and aerodynamic lift of the AP. After the desired trajectory of the vehicle is achieved and propulsion system of the AP is shut down, the vehicle is separated from the AP, the propulsion system of the vehicle is ignited, and the vehicle continues its ascent. The AP returns back to the surface for reuse or disposal. Thus, a wide variety of conventional airfields can be used for launch of ballistic and aero-assisted flight vehicles, without any payload mass penalties.