Re: Say goodbye to the ISS

[Tim May]

On Monday, February 3, 2003, at 06:17  PM, R. A. Hettinga wrote:

Flying another shuttle to them while people were still alive would
have been impossible, of course, so much for a reusable "space-truck"
on a rapid turnaround, and, even if it wasn't, I don't think they
even have an airlock aboard

Incorrect. NASA estimates that Atlantis could have been rushed to launch in 10 days. So, had they initiated the inspection early enough, time enough for a rendezvous.

As for there not being an airlock aboard, this is silly. Two crewmen were prepared to to an EVA to fix dislodged cargo/hatch doors, as on every flight to date. The other crew could have transferred in their pressure suits.

--Tim May