On Tuesday, February 10, 2004 at 3:13:29 PM UTC-8, Edward Wright wrote:

"Jorge R. Frank" <jrf...@ibm-pc.borg> wrote in message news:<Xns948A60A3...@216.196.105.130>...

I agree; the degree of risk is overstated. I'd fly such a mission.

But you and your crewmates wouldn't be the only ones at risk. It's
fine to say, just have a second Shuttle on standby in case there's a
problem, but you're forgetting something. If you abandon a crippled
Shuttle in orbit, with no way to make a controlled reentry, it's going
to make an uncontrolled reentry. Over 100 tons of metal, toxic
propellants, etc. will eventually come to Earth, possibly over
inhabited areas. That would be a public relations disaster for NASA.
You might be willing to fly the mission, but would you be willing to
face reporters, if people were killed on the ground by the vehicle you abandoned?

rrrrrr

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