The space shuttle was never designed to leave earths orbit. It was never it’s purpose. Since day 1 it was built to be a mule to carry things to orbit, whether it be satellites or an ISS.
If we wanted to explore further, we wouldn’t have retired the Saturn 5. It was a beast that could easily explore beyond earth.

“ The…

Sadly, the Shuttle Program would turn out to be more of a very expensive anchor that would keep mankind stuck in orbit for decades than a economical space plane that could facilitate exploration beyond earth’s orbit.

I’m a NASA contractor and I, shaking with rage, scrolled down to write what you did. Thanks for doing it for me. Endless biological, physics, chemistry, botanical and engineering breakthroughs were made with shuttle/the ISS. But, you know, I guess it’s just a space anchor.

‘Don’t feed the troll’ applies to feeding Tyler too.

Sadly, the Shuttle Program would turn out to be more of a very expensive anchor that would keep mankind stuck in orbit for decades than a economical space plane that could facilitate exploration beyond earth’s orbit.

Tyler is usually spot on in his analysis, but this one is so far off the mark that it’s not even funny. I didn't see he was the author prior to reading, and thought it was Alissa Walker given that remark, which is not meant as a compliment.

Thank you for this comment which is so much better than anything I could have posted while so pissed off.

The embodied spirit and potential of man.

I’m going to have to disagree with your assessment of the shuttle program Tyler. Although we could probably refrain from including the word “resounding,” by all definitions the shuttle program was a success for what it was intended to do.

“Sadly, the Shuttle Program would turn out to be more of a very expensive anchor that would keep mankind stuck in orbit for decades than a economical space plane that could facilitate exploration beyond earth’s orbit.” Incorrect. You need to research the unclassified Shuttle program accomplishments. No need to even up…

Sad. Being a kid of the 80s, everything at school stopped while we watched shuttle launches. Until Challenger.