Since the Premier got so agitated about nothing with the last Titan mission, I wonder if anyone has briefed him on the shuttle.
1. The last five shuttle missions have used the high inclination launch angle. The next five plan for the same thing.
2. The last mission had some impacts on the underside of the orbiter on the way to orbit. That's what led to the disintegration of the orbiter on re-entry.
3. Therefore, it is highly likely that any launch problems will trigger a mission abort.
4. Pop quiz: what happens next?
5. Pop answer: the large, liquid fuel tank is jettisoned, the orbiter is brought around and the pilot heads for the nearest runway.
6. And where might those runways be, you ask?
7. They are located at Goose Bay, Gander and St. John's. The latter one is only used in a pinch since the runways are so frickin short compared to Goose and Gander.
8. The tank falls somewhere in the ocean with much less precision than the Titan launch vehicle did.
Oh well. I guess we'll hear more of that as we get closer to launch day.