NASA X-15 Hypersonic Research at the Edge of Space

Two things about it I didn't know

1. One of the rear fins had to be ejected before landing
2. It didn't have rear wheels, but sleds instead

The X-15 may serve as a model for how to recover a spent upper stage.  But it may not be a good enough model.  I noticed that the nose comes down hard.  The longer the rocket, the harder that impact might be.  Also, the X-15 fuselage may have been sturdier than a rocket casing.