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Re:The Space Shuttle’s Controversial Launch Abort Plan by mrbill on Monday October 13, 2014 @11:07AM (#8448971)
Also related - "Shuttle Down" by Harry Stine:

"In the book, the Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on a polar orbit flight from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Southern California. During the launch, the main engines cut off prematurely and the shuttle is forced to make an emergency landing on Rapa Nui, better known to most of the world as Easter Island."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuttle_Down

Re:The Space Shuttle’s Controversial Launch Abort Plan by mrbill on Monday October 13, 2014 @11:08AM (#8448975)
"In addition, astronauts now carry passports and other documents, including traveller's cheques, in case of emergency landings."