NASA Space Shuttle Summary Report

To support future space operations there is a critical need to reduce significantly the annual cost of routine
round-trip space transportation operations, while greatly increasing the number of space flights.

A versatile space shuttle system that can transport effectively, a varying mix of personnel and cargo to low
earth orbits and return, could be the keystone to the success and growth of future space flight developments for the exploration and beneficial uses of near and far space. The use of the space shuttle will provide a broad range of capability in space operations --- capability that would be directly applicable to almost anything the United States may want to do in space.