From NASAKennedy
The Space Shuttle is probably the best thing that ever happened to space exploration and I still can’t fathom the reason behind its demise. Sure, there have been accidents, technical and especially managerial and political, but as a space vehicle that is at the same time practical, reusable and effective, nothing comes close. Redesign it. Make it better. Safer. Faster to prep and launch. But don’t go back to rockets.
source engadget