Astronauts Doing What They Do Best... Repairing Things

Doesn't it always seem like the main goal for the Astronauts once they are in space is to repair equipment?

Now, I know that the space missions are intended to maintain and keep up the projects already floating around space. That's fine.

But more often than not the astronauts are fixing parts to the SPACE SHUTTLE itself! If they didn't fix these parts they would have trouble getting home.

This is absolutely insane. It would be like if you took your SUV out for the afternoon and have to do major repairs once you got to your picnic destination just to get back in time for dinner.

Now, some people do this with their cars... that's fine... but they don't spend 14 billion a year doing it!