What has the Shuttle Brought Down?

I don't mean to fuel the anti-shuttle zealots, but it seems to me one of the
main arguments for the shuttle is it's ability to bring things down from
space using the cargo bay. Has NASA done this? What has been brought down
and why?

Don't get me wrong...I love the shuttle and consider it one of the great
technical successes of all history, but if all we're doing is going up and
coming down empty, it seems to me a cheaper, semi-reuseable, modular craft
would be a better idea.

As much as I love the shuttle, I'd love to see a few reuseable modules that
could be launched with greater regularity, even if we have to toss part of
each one out every time.

BV.
www.iheartmypond.com