The weight was due to the science modules in the cargo bay, no recovery operation was carried out.
On another note in 1979 NASA said it intended 560 shuttle flights in the first 12 years. Peaking at 65 flights in 1988. the anticipated turn around times were 2 weeks for routine ops and "a matter of hours for rescue missions" Designs were started in the early 80's for 74 seat pax modules (to ferry crews to orbiting production facilities) and liquid fuel boosters to replace the srb's allowing 50,000kg payload. Its a pity those dreams have not been recognised.
The cost for development in 1980 dollars was $3bn over 10 years.