NASA is one of the most optimistic organizations I've ever seen.
They've plans and contingencies for all manner of disasters.
None of them very likely.
The most likely failure modes are pretty darn total in destruction.
It's interesting that science fiction authors had been saying for years that space has two modes. You're OK and you're dead.
Amended after Apollo 13 to be, you've either got lots of time to figure it out and fix it, or you don't get hardly any warning before you're killed.
They've plans and contingencies for all manner of disasters.
None of them very likely.
The most likely failure modes are pretty darn total in destruction.
It's interesting that science fiction authors had been saying for years that space has two modes. You're OK and you're dead.
Amended after Apollo 13 to be, you've either got lots of time to figure it out and fix it, or you don't get hardly any warning before you're killed.