Why can't we get straight answers about Discovery?

[OrlandoGator]

First, the foam came off the ET and didn't strike the shuttle.

Then, it the foam struck the shuttle but caused no damage.

Then, there was damage, but it wasn't severe enough to abort the mission.

Then (while we were told the damage wasn't severe) the astronauts practiced the repair procedures.

Then Atlantis is rolled out and a four-man crew is prepped for a rescue mission.

Now, the cloth that insulates between the tiles is loose and they are prepping for a spacewalk repair.

Am I the only one wondering exactly what the hell is going on? Has NASA been infected with the Bush administration's "lie until you can't lie anymore" syndrome?

[candy]

1. Methinks Discovery is in big trouble--I sure wouldn't be looking forward

to the return trip.

Houston,we have problems----lots of problems.

[Autumn Colors]

2. Well you know....

Someone made a thread a few days ago pondering something along the lines that perhaps something was "done" to the shuttle and that person seemed to be attacked by most of the other users on here as having tinfoil hat syndrome.

Well, wouldn't either a disastrous re-entry or a miraculously launched "rescue mission" serve as a nice diversion for the MSM to get the Rove/Plame story out of the headlines for a little while?

Not to be cynical or anything but I put nothing past the * WH at this point.

[meg]

10. I have been thinking that they wanted a disaster

to take the media attention away. They sure rushed to launch. I think that they would love to have a "rescue Mission" full of Hollywood imagery. What a way to stoke up the old patriotism. However, a rescue mission might not suck up enough media cycles unless they start soon.

By the way, I put absolutely NOTHING past any of them. In fact, I have to remind myself that for them NOTHING is unthinkable if it helps them in any way.

[rfkrfk]

3. which of the two Nasa spokesmen is saying this?

Cheech or Chong?

[KharmaTrain]

4. The Torment Of The Crew's Family

That's all I can think about. Just on face value...the fact that future missions were already scrubbed while this one is still has to be horrifying to the family and friends.

I remember Apollo 13...the concern during that flight and how it really did bring a nation together in a time which was very devisive (few remember this came right on the heels of Kent State & The Cambodian invasion). I'm very concerned here.

Even if there's damage, the least NASA could have done is waiting til the mission is over to decide about future missions. If there's a peril here, tell us. Don't let us find out like the last time.

[RONSTOO]

5. no matter what

theyll be safe, either we or the Russians can rescue them

[LeftyMom]

6. Unless NASA decides the shuttle can handle reentry

and it can't. It's hardly an improbable scenario.

To say that my confidence in the shuttle program is at low ebb would be a bit of an understatement.

[Unforgiven]

7. Because

when it falls apart comming back to land, it will be 'the' news story to take over for the Aruba news story. We can then blame it on terrorists at NASA.

[progressivebydesign]

8. I never believed the admin wanted them to fail.. but..

I do believe that there was pressure on NASA from within and from the White House to produce a space flight.. not as a diversion, but as a feel-good event for the Country. Remember when Bush was in the ratings basement before 9/11? He proposed going to Mars.

I am worried about Discovery. I hope they make it home safe.

[wli]

9. because they're screwed and don't want to admit it

Wow, Bushler has every government agency in the country lying through their teeth.

[newportdadde]

11. I think the question is "Would egos allow a rescue?"

if in fact the shuttle is somewhat damaged but 'might' be okay.

[johnnie]

12. I too have been wondering what is really going on

I said a few days ago that it looks to me like there is a plan here. I don't think they wanted it to fail, but I think we are going to be introduced to something soon.
I don't really feel it is a tinfoil hat situation, but I am wondering if maybe we will be introduced to a new kind of shuttle or something very soon.