Hybrid balloon / glider suborbital plane?

Several companies have put forward plans for suborbital aircraft that use bouyancy to reach the edge of space. In fact, balloons can ascend to over 60,000 ft.



Would it be possible to design an aircraft that uses bouyancy to ascend and then somehow convert to a glider to land unpowered, using very little or no extra energy?



I will be posting my ideas here - should be an interesting virtual project.



Here is an inspiration : ( The space shuttle)



http://ift.tt/nQ0pvg



Some related links to start going...



http://ift.tt/1oFxNMb



http://ift.tt/1qfSn3E