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Originally Posted by jfman
Not quite sure Titanic tourism is exactly space exploration.
That said, for anyone interested the planned launch of the space shuttle Endeavour (STS-400) to rescue the crew of Atlantis (STS-125) in the event of observable heat shield failure is a fascinating read. This deviated from every other rescue launch of a shuttle in that those anticipated refuge in the International Space Station.
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IIRC that was the final Hubble servicing mission. There was no possible flight plan that would have allowed Atlantis to reach the ISS in the event of heat shield damage, hence the requirement to have another shuttle ready to go.