[texson66]

Back in the late 80's and early nineties, NASA had worked on a small "RPV" to "fly around" the shuttle inspecting the shuttle after achieving orbit.

Why didnt they develop and use it? Apparently, no method of tile repair/replacement was ever developed for on-orbit operations. Each tile (thousands)on the shuttle has to be uniquely manufactured. Leading edge damage is yet another issue.

[Enduring Freedom]

No method of repairing an item the loss of which has proved likely, and catastrophic.

Sounds like a government-run program.

The real world is different.