[spokanite]

I listened to the news conference a little while ago and, for the life of me, no one has asked the question that I would have asked. Why didn't they dock the shuttle at the space station to take a look at the possible damage caused by the foam that hit the wing in takeoff.

Maybe this question has come up earlier in this conversation, but I sure would like to know the reasons why. At the news conferece, they said it couldn't be repaired, plus they didn't have the arm installed on this shuttle for them to explore the possible damage. If there was the slighted question about the damage, why didn't they send it to the space station? Why take the risks?

[dep]

you can't just up and change all orbital parameters like that. to do so would require far more fuel than the shuttle carries.

dep

[The Mayor]

WELCOME HOME

it's been a sad day....

[Lady Jag]

It would not have been impossible to repair some damage. Tiles routinely fall off and NASA said they viewed the takeoff and decided no damage was done. They wrote if off. Could it be pilot error? If the shuttle was just a little off attitude it would have devastating effects.

The issues are the anomalies were the left side on takeoff and left side on re-entry.

[dewaste]

I agree with you ... if there were any hints of danger in re-entry, couldn't they use the return vehicle for the space station???? Alternatively, couldn't they wait in the space station for another shuttle to return them to earth??? Perhaps the other shuttle crew could also repair the Columbia if it were equipped for EVA. Why isn't this discussed?