One old test vehicle

Shouldn't we just agree that the space shuttle has been a marvelous test
vehicle, but one that has not merited it's longevity? It seems to me that
with some many necessary redesigns and retro-fittings, we are looking at a
vehicle that has outlived the faith place in it. Perhaps the orbiter design
isn't at fault, but the launch system has proven itself deadly, over and
over again.

Replacing the system is going to be an anchor, since the expense will far
exceed the monies need to design, test, redesign, and test, a safer
spacecraft as was done during Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo.