[FReepaholic]

>>...Was Columbia not fitted with the right connections or something?...<<

Too heavy. The other orbiters were made later and lighter but they too had to undergo mods to make them lighter. Plus, the main engines, SRB's and external tank had to be modified in order to reach the orbital inclination of the ISS.

[al_c]

Too heavy. The other orbiters were made later and lighter but they too had to undergo mods to make them lighter. Plus, the main engines, SRB's and external tank had to be modified in order to reach the orbital inclination of the ISS.

Too heavy? How heavy is the ISL?