If Columbia had one of these, it might have survived.
We're all going to have to rethink the phrase, "It's not rocket science" to indicate that something doesn't require a lot of brains to accomplish. It is becoming very clear that those who do rocket science often do so without a brain in their head.
Underscoring the fact that NASA needs a cold reboot, is this depressing and distressing item concerning what it would have taken to repair the Columbia before its fatal reentry: Paint Brush May Aid in Repair of Shuttle
As it turns out, the massive number of "experts" had previously concluded that repairs to the foam of the shuttle in orbit were just "too difficult." But after being forced to take another look at the issue in the wake of the Columbia disaster, it turns out that perhaps it wasn't "too difficult" after all.
It would seem that the repair would involve putting in some expanding foam and smoothing it out. The tool to do this? A 45 cent foam brush from any hardware store. I've got about five of these sitting around in the garage. You probably have some too.
For want of a nail
the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe
the horse was lost.
For want of a horse
the rider was lost.
For want of a rider
the battle was lost.
For want of a battle
the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want
of a horseshoe nail.
