4 ms·

It once had a use. Remember Skylab? Only 20 or 30 times cheaper. We blew $200B on the Shuttle instead of keeping it in orbit.

• avmich 6y ago
  First generation of stations. Can't bring supplies other than with the crew's ship - no transport spacecrafts docking. ISS is a couple of generations ahead. Robotic arm, massive solar panels, modular construction, adaptation for unforeseen tasks, reliability in the face of a loss of some transportation options, international cooperation...
  • valuearb 6y ago
    Not worth the $400B more it cost to build it.
  • foxyv 6y ago
    It's great for Earth observation, but the polar orbit makes it a lot less useful for deep space. Although it's nice having a microgravity laboratory.