Factual error: After David's ship breaks free and exits the hangar, he orders Max to take him 20 miles away. Back at the tracking room a technician informs Dr. Faraday that the ship has gone 20 miles straight up, but the target altitude indicated on the screen reads 184,800 feet - more than a 35 mile distance. (00:52:00)
Factual error: When the alien craft speeds away from the NASA base, its slipstream tears off the roof of a small booth. But the wake also should sweep the people in its flight path down to the ground; it is too close for that not to happen.
Factual error: When the ship goes straight up 20 miles, the ship is in space with the curvature of the Earth and atmostphere visible. 20 miles is just over 100,000 feet. He would have to have gone over 50 miles up to reach space.
Answer: Carolyn wouldn't have wanted David anywhere near the UFO as it could've been dangerous, so it's safe to assume that "Max" programmed the R.A.L.F robot. Although Carolyn didn't have anything to do with with David's escape, it wouldn't have escaped unnoticed that the R.A.L.F robot was in the hanger where the UFO was. Given that she's always the one with the R.A.L.F. robot, it's safe to assume she was acting worried that she'd be blamed rather than acting "shifty"