Hmmmm... let's see... problems don't arise until they are doing mach 18 at 200,000 feet... Yeah, I think they were pretty much flat-out F**ked at that point... not a lot of time for decision making and action taking, know what I mean?
They had 16 godammned days to determine if there was tile damage, and if there was, THINK UP A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
I'll address this BS further down...
With an attitude like yours there would have been nothing to be done about Apollo 13 either, especially when they ran out square CO2 filters.
Totally different scenarios - not a good example to use... Nice try though...
NASA buried its head in the sand on this.
This early in the game, you know this with certainty? You really are ignorant...
Spy satellites could have been employed to check out the underside of the ship.
Not only ignorant, but you can't read either... See, spy satellites are used for LOOKING DOWN, at objects VERY far away - I'm sure they could just punch a few buttons, change the orbits of the satellites, and then turn the satellites to point at a shuttle that was moving pretty damned fast - not only that, but when the shuttle is orbiting, it's top is what is facing towards earth, so even if they COULD (which, they can't) use the satellites, they would see the TOP of the shuttle... Get it?
If they couldn't have gotten to the ISS, the Russians might have been able to send up a rescue ship, THEY ARE LAUNCHING A SUPPLY SHIP TO THE ISS THIS WEEK!.
This is a REALLy pathetic attempt - you say NASA buried their heads in the sand? Wanna know where I think YOUR head is buried???? Now, follow me on this, because it might be a LITTLE confusing, but there MAY be hope for you... Ready? Here goes...
The Columbia, not outfitted with the proper docking collar, could not mate/dock with the ISS. You with me so far? Good. Now, the russians send up a resupply ship for the ISS, which by it's very nature would need to be capable of docking with the ISS... can you see where I'm going with this? Well, just in case you can't, let me spell it out for you: How the HELL could the columbia dock with a ship that is outfitted to dock with the ISS if the Columbia cannot dock with the ISS? Make sense????
The fact that no attempt was made to verify the tiles integrity is an INEXCUSABLE failure on their part.
Maybe they could have just stopped at the local Intergalactic Quiki-Mart and got out and looked??? None of the crew was EVA qualified, hence no EVA Gear... So, what should they do, pop a hatch in the floorboards, and stick their head out and take a quick peek????
This was a huge mistake, everybody makes them, lets not lie to ourselves
The only one lying to themselves here is you and other people like you who don't know dick about what is being discussed...
Jay Barbree emphasizes that there would still have been nothing that could have been done
And he would be correct...
Nothing could have been done?
Yeah, that's what I just said, isn't it???
You can bet the farm that on the next shuttle mission they will figure out a way to check the tiles before re-entry.
Well, come on genius, tell us how to do it...
Do ANY of you people actually read a thread before putting in your uninformed, stupid opinions?.
Ummm... I'm thinking maybe YOU need to not only re-read the thread, but also go read 'The Idiot's Guide to The Space Shuttle' before spouting your nonsense...
If you can't distinguish the between the truth and some beaurocrat trying to cover his agency with a pathetic excuse then maybe youre the one that is stupid.
Yeah, I are sooooo stooopid. I know not nothing bout nothing... ya got me...
Well, come on genius, tell us how to do it...
It doesn't take a genius to figue out that US spy satellites could have taken photos of the underside of the craft.
An aviation expert on NPR said as much this morning.
And stop with the petty insults please, they are so jackass like.