Final answer:
The author likely wrote "A Massive Mission" to underscore the importance of Endeavor's space travel missions and the significant effort it took to transport the shuttle to a museum, as evidenced by his profound connection to and professional involvement in space exploration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most likely reason the author wrote the selection "A Massive Mission" is to highlight the efforts taken to transport Endeavor to a museum. This focus is evident from the contextual clues surrounding the author's deep personal connection to space exploration and the transformative experience of witnessing the marvels of the universe up close. The author has spent much of his career engaged with space-related endeavors and holds a profound fascination for the subject, which likely fueled his desire to document the journey of Endeavor beyond its active service as evidenced by the reference to its final mission in February 2010.
An additional likely purpose is to emphasize the importance of Endeavor's space travel missions. Through his reverence for space, shown through his personal and professional experiences, the author may have wished to underscore the significance of the space shuttle's history, bringing to light its contributions to space exploration. While the text discusses the limitations and challenges of space travel, it also reflects on the awe and inspiration that space missions, like those undertaken by Endeavor, have instilled in humanity.