[Chad Fairbanks]

Thats BS. They could have went to the ISS and waited for another shuttle to take them back.

Do you read? How many times do people on this thread have to tell everyone the following:

The Columbia was too heavy to achieve orbit with the ISS, and even if it could it was not fitted with the docking collar necessary to dock with the ISS

[PhiKapMom]

I can see your frustration at some comments on here (mine is also from the media) is matching mine.

Too many people have watched too many space movies and have unrealistic expectations of what the Shuttle can and cannot do including sending a rescue shuttle up. And too many "so-called" experts have hit the airwaves with all kinds of theories.

On another thread someone pointed out that ABC radio wondered why they didn't parachute out -- 200,000+ parachuting out! Give me a break!