sorry for a non-tech response here but I do recall watching NASA TV during this mission and being a little taken aback by the personal messages recorded/sent home ... each crew member said their piece and reiterated about how this was the best thing they had done (words to that effect). I firmly believe the crew were apprised that something beyond the average had occurred which potentially jeopardised their safe return to earth....but being the professionals they were, they chose to make their mark in the only way they could..by being there, being upbeat and positive to the last.
As I said in a more emotional response elsewhere they truly "reached out their hands and touched the face of god".
Let their sacrifice help man to reach the goal of safe manned spaceflight ... we were born to venture and it is into the stars that we go...
