[eno_]

I have not followed the entire discussion. Is it really true there was no alternative at all to attempting re-entry with the crew on board?

Not enough fuel to reach the ISS?

No means of transferring crew without the docking adapter in the cargo bay?

It seems like a lousy choice, and it almost seems like NASA collectively closed their eyes and decided to hope. They had two weeks to diagnose a problem. They probably had technical means to do it in some way, using either ground-based imaging, satellite imaging, or the ISS.

If they found damage, they would have to improvise like hell to do something with that knowledge, with no guarantee of success.

I would prefer to know how bad my situation is. NASA may have made a different choice re the shuttle. Now they will be judged with hindsight. I wonder if that is the better outcome.

[dtel]

It is my understanding there was not enough fuel to reach the ISS.
They were in the wrong orbit, for another matter.
The fact is these guys went up via a very large container of highly flammable fuel.
They are fully aware of the risks inherent in space exploration.
As far as fixing damage in space, there is no way, at this time to carry the appropriate materials. (20,000 different tiles)
There is no way, at this time, to remove and reinstall any damaged tiles in space, if they could carry the appropriate materials.
I would think the astronauts knew what their situation was, meaning I believe ground control talked with them, prior to re-entry.
They had two choices:
Fly around space until you expire.
Bring it home.