[Swordmaker]

Sorry, but this guy is confused, there are thermal TILES on the orbiter, and there is foam insulation on the external tank. NOT the same thing. Therefore, this entire article is, um, Freon-free Fecal Matter.

You are right... and wrong. The thrust of the article was that PC environmentalism may be to blame for the destruction of Discovery. This guy has his facts a bit garbled but the basic thesis is sound. In 1997, environmentalists forced the elimination of exterior fuel tank foam that had been made with freon as part of the manufacturing process. The freon made foam did not slough off the tank in large chunks... the replacement "environmentally friendly" foam does!

[Paradox]

This guy has his facts a bit garbled but the basic thesis is sound

I know the issue he is trying to get at, but he mangles it so badly, that this essay is useless.