[al_c]

Sadly...even if true, there is almost nothing that could have been done once launched. I hope we can learn for the future.

Sure there was. Dock at the space station and return on the Soyuz capsule.

[FReepaholic]

>>...Sure there was. Dock at the space station and return on the Soyuz capsule...<<

Nope. Not possible.

[Dave S]

Dock at the space station and return on the Soyuz capsule

The Columbia is physically incapable of docking at the space station. The Columbia is too heavy. Second, the Columbia was at a lower orbit and didnt have enough fuel to take it up to the higher level and catch the ISS (this isnt Star Trek). Third, the escape pod on the ISS only carries three and one of those would have to be the Russian on board the station who can pilot it. Astronauts who have been on board the ISS have quipped it would have to be one hell of an emergency for them to risk return using the escape pod. They dont trust it.

[spetznaz]

Sure there was. Dock at the space station and return on the Soyuz capsule.

Not possible! First of all the space station was at a higher altitude than the shuttle had fuel to reach ....meaning basically the shuttle could not reach the station.

Secondly (even if it could reach) the shuttle Columbia did not have a docking mechanism to meld witht he station, and there would have been no way for the astronauts to bail ship.

The shuttle was doomed the moment it lifted off.