[Dog Gone]

I'm concerned about the astronauts up in the space station. We can't leave them there indefinitely, nor can we abandon the facility.

[rintense]

Well, it will either be Endeavor that will go up just to retrieve them, or the Russians will do it. Watch for reaction from Russia on this one... I have no doubt that Putin will help in any way he can.

[Movemout]

"Not a heat spike within the shuttle - from the US spy sats. Our early warning satellites picked up an atmospheric "spike" where the shuttle was. "

There is a Soyuz attached to ISS as a lifeboat. They will probably launch another for backup when they evacuate the crew. It could spell the end for ISS because the shuttle is used to boost the orbit of ISS periodically. It is in a low enough orbit that there is drag from molecular oxygen that exists at that altitude and the effects of gravity.

[Movemout]

"I'm concerned about the astronauts up in the space station. We can't leave them there indefinitely, nor can we abandon the facility. "

This was the quote I was attempting to answer. I must have pasted the wrong quote.

[CyberAnt]

There is a Russian space capsule AT THE STATION - so the astronauts can leave anytime they need to.