Actually, it probably would be, if the replacement were also to be a shuttle like, wholly (or almost wholly) recoverable vehicle with substantial atmospheric maneuverability, and ability to make a soft landing with a large delicate payload.
The issue is, of course, there turned to be no real reason to actually use the shuttle's expensive atmospheric maneuverability, or the ability to protect a delicate large payload with an airliner like landing.
The problem is the shuttle has a lot of fancy but unused ability whose influence on the shuttle design captured the public's imagination. Any more pragmatic and efficient replacement for the shuttle must dispense with these costly luxuries, and be seen by the public as much less than the shuttle it replaced.
The issue is, of course, there turned to be no real reason to actually use the shuttle's expensive atmospheric maneuverability, or the ability to protect a delicate large payload with an airliner like landing.
The problem is the shuttle has a lot of fancy but unused ability whose influence on the shuttle design captured the public's imagination. Any more pragmatic and efficient replacement for the shuttle must dispense with these costly luxuries, and be seen by the public as much less than the shuttle it replaced.
