The biggest accomplishment in my life so far has been my
flight on the space shuttle. (I can't say the same for Rudy!) I still have a lot of contacts at NASA, and I've maintained them ever since.. Obviously this hasn't been a good public relations week for those folks. I've resisted calling down there; I'm sure they have more urgent matters to deal with.
During my astronaut training I never had any contact with that particular woman, but by all accounts she'd always conducted herself professionally.
Everyone I met conducted themselves professionally. I wonder if in such a professional atmosphere it's easier for personal problems to fester until something like this happens. On the other hand, nothing "like this" has ever happened before.
Ironically, before I went up to patch those meteor holes with my quills there was grumbling that I hadn't gone through the necessary psychological screening. In retrospect, I suppose that's somewhat overrated.
And finally, yes. During my flight I did wear a protective undergarment during takeoff and reentry. (I ain't calling it a damn diaper!)
