🚀 go-pugleaf

Actually, I was trying to support the Space Shuttle, not insult those who
work on STS and payloads.
 
But you must admit, I think, that STS-52 was darned near half-full, despite
the SVS tests with the robot arm. It is my opinion that SVS could have easily
been added to another flight, such as the STS-54 TDRS-F flight next January.
Even with TDRS-F/IUS and the DXS payload, it would seem SVS should have fit.
 
As for the USMP-1 payload, well once upon a time (STS-41D to be specific)
NASA launched three satellites aboard Shuttle, and still had space for
the OAST-1 solar array system. Now, it seems, NASA considers one satellite
(and a very small one at that) plus one pallet a full manifest.
 
What gives?
 
-Brian
 
P.S., I consider myself more than mildly supportive of the Space Shuttle,
but when NASA starts flying half-empty Space Shuttles and saying "the mission
was full", I get worried.
 
Challenger wasn't that long ago.