> Launching a (classifies) satellite into a useful-for-spying orbit is one level of secret, although clearly something which could be done with unmanned rockets (as was done later).

(As was done before, during and after the space shuttle program.)

In this case the story says the satellite required ad hoc human intervention in order to become operational which does support the idea that the STS was needed.

However given the amount of propaganda around both the STS program itself and of course the NRO and other intelligence agencies it's difficult to know what to believe, and I pretty much agree with the opinion (yours too I believe) that the STS was a significant drag on the US space program.

(What's the chance that purpose built "satellite retrievers" might already have been constructed? The current crop of micro satellites would be seemingly easier to retrieve and return to earth using a "corona-style" mechanism (drop and collect in air via aircraft) -- something impossible with the older refrigerator- or bus-sized ones.