The first paragraph: > When the Space Shuttle retired in 2011, stranding the USA without access to orbit, it took a retirement tour around the country. As it w

The first paragraph: > When the Space Shuttle retired in 2011, stranding the USA without access to orbit, it took a retirement tour around the country. As it was carted from city to city the images played out nation-wide in funereal Americana. Despite the uplifting rhetoric and crowds, it was clear on TV we were watching a casket be carried out, and it seemed then inevitable my generation would be Earth-bound our whole lives. The Space Shuttle was a metaphorical casket, because in 135 missions, it failed twice, killing all on board. Are people nostalgic about the original de Havilland Comet? Were they disappointed the Boeing 737 MAX was grounded until it was redesigned?