I like this description of how the space shuttle got this way [1]. I don't think I'd hold NASA responsible for that. Edit: I understand that The Space Shuttle

I like this description of how the space shuttle got this way [1]. I don't think I'd hold NASA responsible for that. Edit: I understand that The Space Shuttle Decision by T. A. Heppenheimer [2] contains a lot of the information that's in the Metafilter post, but in a more sober tone. The PDF is available direct from NASA [2]. It does at least mention that NASA itself wanted to cancel the shuttle program. [1] https://www.metafilter.com/48654/Jan-28-1986#1189388 https://www.metafilter.com/48654/Jan-28-1986#1189388 [2] https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sp-4221.pdf https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sp-4221.pdf