Please do not attempt to simplify this code

        // ==================================================================
        // PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SIMPLIFY THIS CODE.
        // KEEP THE SPACE SHUTTLE FLYING.
        // ==================================================================
        //
        // This controller is intentionally written in a very verbose style. You will
        // notice:
        //
        // 1. Every 'if' statement has a matching 'else' (exception: simple error
        //    checks for a client API call)
        // 2. Things that may seem obvious are commented explicitly
        //
        // We call this style 'space shuttle style'. Space shuttle style is meant to
        // ensure that every branch and condition is considered and accounted for -
        // the same way code is written at NASA for applications like the space
        // shuttle.

I understand the intent, but it is a bit funny that the comment references a system that is no longer operational due to its poor safety record.

In ten years or so, will people even remember the Space Shuttle in a good light?

I hold it in a good light now, and will likely continue to feel that way. As far as human progress and net good, it was a success.

Excerpt: "But how much work the software does is not what makes it remarkable. What makes it remarkable is how well the software works. This software never crashes. It never needs to be re-booted. This software is bug-free. It is perfect, as perfect as human beings have achieved. Consider these stats : the last three versions of the program — each 420,000 lines long-had just one error each. The last 11 versions of this software had a total of 17 errors. Commercial programs of equivalent complexity would have 5,000 errors."

[0] https://archive.is/HX7n4