What if it had happened on a Mars mission? That's the nightmare of the psychs at NASA.

[Update at 7:20 Eastern]

I'm sure that it's occurred to others, but isn't wearing a diaper for an expected long mission exactly what a deranged 'stro would do?

I've read that book. The baby was raised by Martians and came 'home' as a young, confused man with some amazing abilities and deed to the planet.

"isn't wearing a diaper for an expected long mission exactly what a deranged 'stro would do?"

I thought the exact same thing. Hey it works for a 12 EVA why not strap one on for a 12 hour journey into madness.

All those people pushing for a coed Mars Mission (married couples or whatever) may have lost their arguement.

Did she actually say that she was wearing the diapers to avoid pit stops during the 900 mile drive, or was that media guesswork? I could believe that she wore them during the stakeout phase of her little personal mission, since detectives, bounty hunters, and investigators do the same thing all the time, but a 900 mile trip requires at least ONE stop for gas, if not two or three. You're not really saving yourself any stops unless you have the bladder of a hamster.

I agree with John Breen. I accept that an astronaut would be aware of the benefits of using a "diaper" in a situation limiting access to utilities, but I can't get over the fact that she had to stop for gas. Of course, if she wore them anyway, it just works toward the notion that she really did "flip out".

Did she actually say that she was wearing the diapers to avoid pit stops during the 900 mile drive, or was that media guesswork?

That's reportedly what she told the police. She apparently told the police many things that she wouldn't have had she had a good lawyer with her. I'm wondering how much evidence will be excluded for Miranda reasons.

If she wore diapers (and carried gas cans) to keep from having to stop at a gas station where her car might be on video, that'd be crazy like a fox.

These are exactly the type of people who will be going to Mars. Consider the risks; how many Martian probes have been lost? Or consider the amount of bone mass that will be lost due to zero gravity. These people will never be able to walk again! Only highly educated crazy folk will be willing to go to Mars. And it was media guesswork regarding the diapers. Can anyone imagine a reporter making the connection that she couldn't drive 900 miles non-stop. Once one station reported this they all did. It seems that reporters are incapable of independent thinking.