[PeterPrinciple]

The Space Shuttle and International Space Station were never used for their original designed and intended purpose.

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Could you expand on that................

[CharlyFord]

The Shuttles were originally designed for four shuttles to each make 100 trips to low Earth orbit over a span of 10 years. That's 400 missions in 10 years. It was in fact used for 135 missions over 30 years. It's the stuff in the missing 265 missions that would have made history.

In the missing 265 missions would be the implementation of a permanent Moon base or maned exploration of Mars for example. Or, the building of a capability to intercept asteroids or comets that threaten Earth. Or, a Holiday Inn with a fantastic view. We'll never know. It wasn't allowed to happen.