[b4its2late]

Assuming the debris did cause damage, what then could've been done? Could they have docked with the space station and waited for another shuttle to pick them up? Just wondering......

[twyn1]

Could they have docked with the space station and waited for another shuttle to pick them up?

I don't know how much oxygen and other consumables they would have stockpiled on the shuttle/space station, probably enough for 10 people to wait a couple weeks or so (did they say they have enough supplies for the 3-man crew until the summer??) -- not sure how long it takes to get another shuttle ready for launch, it has to be a few weeks at least -- also, I think they only have one docking port on the station -- they would have had to "dump" this shuttle to allow the other to dock -- could that be done ?? -- I do know there is nothing aboard available to repair the tiles, and they never really looked at any damge that may have been caused -- bad decision ?? yes, but hindsight is always 20/20

[FReepaholic]

>>...Could they have docked with the space station and waited for another shuttle to pick them up...<<

Nope. Columbia was too heavy for a mission to the ISS.

[eno_]

I suggested this on another thread, and it was pointed out that the shuttle needs a docking unit in the payload bay to dock with the ISS. That was almost certainly not on board for this mission.

MAYBE they could have ferried people across a distance between the two craft using some jury rig, but that makes the whole attempt to put the crew aboard the ISS very risky.

Still, if they had arranged a flyby of the ISS early in the mission, they might have had some images of damaged tiles, and an idea of whether desperate measures were the only option. Or, they might have found nothing of value.

[ladyinred]

Wondering also, since at the time they checked it out and said it was no big deal. Had they thought it was, wouldn't they have done something?