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In reply to the discussion: Columbia Shuttle Crew Not Told of Possible Problem With Reentry [View all]Xithras
(16,191 posts)23. Different orbit.
The shuttle wasn't on an orbit capable of intersecting the space station, and there was no way to change the orbit.
This is why, after the Columbia disaster, NASA prohibited shuttle launches into orbits incapable of docking with the station. This is also why there was such a fight over the last servicing mission to the Hubble. Hubble can't be reached on an orbit capable of reaching the ISS, so servicing it would have meant no lifeline for the servicing shuttle crew. In the end, the requirement was waved for that one mission...Hubble will never again be serviced by a human.
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I think I'd rather personally not know -- but I sure wouldn't feel I could make that
gateley
Feb 2013
#38