Sad to see her go?

Question

NASA claims on their web site the Space Shuttle is the most complex machine ever built by man

Will you be sad to see it retire in 2010 or do you think the worlds first space plane was a waist of money due to the amount of maintenance it requires between launches plus the two memorable trajeties which received worldwide headlines.

Answer 1

We will miss the capability of it when it is gone. That capability includes a very gentle ride (3 Gees or less compared to the hi Gee loads of a regular rocket and capsule) and the big cargo bay that can bring back large objects from space. But even so it is probably not worth the extremely high expense.

Answer 2

It's so sad to see her retire in 2010 after many years of service. We will going to miss her soaring high, her rendezvous pitch maneuver, the way she lands and the way how she 'takes care' of her crews by carrying her crews safely and smoothly to space and even in re-entry. Space Shuttle became the man's best friend in every space missions.

But just like any other things on earth, nothing is permanent, except the changes and the memories of the things that became the part of our daily living. So whether we like it or not, we must say goodbye to her. But let's not forget her memories that she and our crews shared together...

That's all, and world peace, folks!

Answer 3

Let's face it they were 30 years old and needed to be replaced. Even commercial aircraft aren't kept in service that long.

Answer 4

It was less expensive than building a new rocket for each mission.