[Lancey Howard]

Gene Kranz, the flight director who orchestrated the rescue of astronauts aboard the crippled Apollo 13 in 1970, said that from what he knew about the suspected tile damage, there was probably nothing that could have been done to save the flight. "The options," he said in a telephone interview, "were just nonexistent."

Then that is the problem. It's 2003, and there should be "options" for a shuttle which is damaged and at peril. There is a space station, three other shuttles, a Russian manned space program - - there should always be "options".

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

there should always be "options".

OK, this might sound hugely ignorant and far-fetched, but...would it be feasible to boost a fuel source to the approximate orbit of the shuttle, so that the shuttle could then have enough fuel to boost its orbit to that of the ISS? We can keep the Hubble in orbit indefinitely, right?

I'm about to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from Mexico to Canada. There are people known as trail angels, who will, among other things, leave water caches near the trail in particularly hot, dry stretches. This is what gives me the idea. I'm thinking of a 'resupply/emergency kit' in orbit. It could have fuel, a docking module, EVA suits, extra oxygen, food, etc. At the very least, it could supply the shuttle enough consumables to allow time to prepare a rescue shuttle, or so I would think.

I claim no expertise whatsoever in the matter, so my opinion is worth little. But in general, does anyone think this is an idea that might have some merit?

[VRWC_minion]

Then that is the problem. It's 2003, and there should be "options" for a shuttle which is damaged and at peril

I should be issued a parachute and a spare plane with me carry-on when I travel commercial next time.

[Ciexyz]

It's 2003....there should always be options.

Sadly, I agree.