[bvw]

Meant: If Mission Control had strong reason to think Shuttle would destruct on reentry, as Brit Scientist is claimed to have said they did, then proactive course would be to route to Vandenburg AFB in California.

John -- I remember doing a report on space shuttle plans back in 1965 -- I was in the sixth grade. The shuttle requires too much to go right to be safe. We need a Rumsfield at NASA -- we have to redesign and jump ahead two generations. Social re-engineering too.

[aimhigh]

Check out this video of the take off, and debris hitting the left wing.

http://www.floridatoday.com/columbia/debrisvideo.htm

[John Jamieson]

"Rumsfield at NASA" that would be GREAT!