Better 2000s

The New York Times Times wrote; "Indeed, it is very likely that the first ten years of this century will go down as the most dispiriting and disillusioning decade Americans have lived through in the post–World War II era." There was 9/11, Anthrax Attacks is prevented in 2001-present, Anthrax Panics is prevented in 2001-present, the War in Afghanistan, Iraqi Wars is prevented, the 2008 financial crisis is prevented, the Ponzi schemes prevented that October, the fall of the Detroit auto industry is prevented, the brutality at Guantanamo Bay is prevented, and so much more.

## **What is Better? Guidelines for Contributors**

* **Rule 1** - Only events of the 2000s may be altered be they choices you made in that decade or the choices others made in that decade.
* **Rule 2** - George W Bush had ousted the Taliban and liberated Afghanistan from their reign of terror in order to kill Osama Bin Laden and arrest the members of Al-Qaeda in order to get the American people the revenge they deserved for 9/11. Good Ending: In this multiverse scenario, Bush allows the monarchy of Afghanistan to be restored as the official government of Afghanistan. This would trigger Pakistan into invading Afghanistan, but Bush would wage war against Pakistan instead of Iraq. The British would install the Mughal Dynasty as the ruling royal family of a Pro-West Pakistani monarchy that would prevent the rise of the same fundamentalist factions that ruled Pakistan from ever taking power again in order to prevent them from aiding the Taliban. However if Afghanistan and Pakistan were prosperous under their respective monarchs, it would result in the triggering of Monarchist Revolutions in the Indian subcontinent, Iran, the Middle East, Africa, Burma and Laos as they would desire to restore their monarchs in hopes of enduring an era of prosperity and freedom from authoritarian dictators. This series of Monarchist Revolutions. A lack of Iraq invasion is going to prevent both the wider Arab spring and ISIS. Bush after the successful victory in Afghanistan and Pakistan would be called a hero by the American people and the Republican party would be popular. Sadly the popularity of Bush and the Republicans would result in opposition against Bush himself becoming more radical and more intense. Lives Saved thus far: 3,486 (includes the 2,980 people [not including the 16 hijackers] saved on 9/11). Al Qaeda plot the FBI claimed to have foiled in the years following the 9/11 attacks and there's no weapons, no plots, and no Al Qaeda.
* **Rule 3** - Protecting the North America & Europe & China from natural disasters are satellites on October 7, 2001 to present.
* **Rule 4** - The New Normal Fastest Road in North America & Europe & China on October 7, 2001 to present.
* **Rule 5** - The New Normal Fastest Light Traffic on Highway in North America & Europe & China on October 7, 2001 to present.

## **Space Shuttle Columbia Rescue**

The Space Shuttle Columbia rescue or the Rescue of the Crew of the Columbia is the only ship-to-ship rescue mission involving the United States Space Shuttle Program and the first time two shuttles were in orbit at the same time. NASA TV aired footage of the mission as it took place.

### **No-Go for De-orbit Burn; Plight of Columbia**

8 AM on February 1, 2003 at Mission Control; Flight Director LeRoy E. Cain has just polled the control room for a go/no-go for Columbia's de-orbit burn. In OTL the de-orbit burn was go due to weather conditions being within guidelines - but in this timeline the concerns of Linda Ham and others has infiltrated the control room - enough to generate a feeling of dread. The poll returns as a 'no-go'. LeRoy is stuck in a predicament; no one wants to be the guy to declare something costly without reason - but in the past NASA had to do so. LeRoy wasn't at NASA when the Challenger Disaster happened. He joined NASA in 1988; two years after Challenger. The call is ultimately his but if he overrides the poll and gives the go-ahead and something does happen it will undoubtedly be his doing. In this moment of decision LeRoy announces the 'no-go' and calls a meeting. The footage of the launch is reviewed, the fact that Columbia can remain in orbit until the 15th is noted. John C. Harpold says; "You know, there is nothing we can do about damage to the TPS [Thermal Protection System]. If it has been damaged it's probably better not to know. I think the crew would rather not know. Don't you think it would be better for them to have a happy successful flight and die unexpectedly during entry than to stay on orbit, knowing that there was nothing to be done, until the air ran out?" [source] Someone at the meeting finally has had it with this type of talk - which was widespread. This person knows what the control room is feeling, and makes a stand for something to be done. The result was the decision to hold a rescue mission; a decision that would be criticized until the mission concluded.

### **Mission Planning**

Atlantis, just like Columbia has shown issue with the foam. To avoid having two shuttles in danger the foam issue has to be resolved before Atlantis can take flight. The launch window for the mission is the 9th through the 11th; if the deadline isn't met their will be no option but to attempt Columbia's re-entry. Each launch window is at night hindering visibility.

### **Aftermath**

As the empty Columbia disintegrated upon de-orbit opinion regarding the mission shifted. It's since become an iconic moment of heroism in the face of adversity. It also opened the public's eyes to issues within NASA's organization as those who had voiced criticism of the mission now faced backlash from the public. The state of the US Shuttle Program gave way to the approval of the Constellation Program, and such projects as the X-38 to be utilized by the crew of the ISS (thus saving the cost of another equally costly rescue mission).

### **Mission Crew**

Shuttle: Atlantis

Commander: Terry Wilcutt

Pilot: William Oefelein (see notes)

Mission Specialist: Robert Lee Curbeam, Jr.

Mission Specialist: William S. McArthur, Jr.

### **Developer Notes**

* The Rescue solution is one posthumously proposed by the Investigations Board after the Columbia Disaster in OTL. Details such as the 10th being the day of launch for the mission and the Space Shuttle Atlantis being used comes form this solution proposed by the Investigations Board. This link provides the details. The crew is to consist of four astronauts with those astronauts ready for launch being the original Expedition 8 crew (as it was prior to the delay brought about by the Columbia disaster).
* While it's challenging to find the original Expedition 8 roaster, it's not impossible. It's come to our attention that this would be William's first flight and thus some explanation for his role as Pilot in relation to the candidate list should be made as presently it doesn't make a lot of sense to those viewing this article.

## **Pixar is Never Ends Filmmaking Partnership With Disney**

Pixar Animation Studios is never halted talks to extend it's nearly 13-year partnership with Walt Disney Co on January 29, 2004. “Prevention of strike a deal with Disney on January 29, 2004,” said Pixar Chief Executive Steve Jobs. Preventing the collapse of the talks for Disney Chairman Michael Eisner on January 29, 2004. Steve Jobs and Disney chairman and CEO Michael Eisner to the prevention of cease in 2004.