[AntiKev]

Originally some of the designs included an all-metal (titanium) heat shield. That’s what I was referring to.

There are lots of design compromises in the shuttle, more than there probably should be, but that’s why it’s about to be retired.

[null and void]

Originally some of the designs included an all-metal (titanium) heat shield. That’s what I was referring to.

Good point.

There are lots of design compromises in the shuttle, more than there probably should be, but that’s why it’s about to be retired.

Yeah. There are probably a zillion compromises. Most of them resulted in near optimum subsystems, and the whole assembly ain't bad either. It is pretty much worn out, though.

The biggest 'bad decision' was to try to make a craft that was all things to all people...