[bonesmccoy]

Thanks for the great posting (re: CAIB) It is interesting that the foam block fractured into chunks. The flight film clearly shows clouds of smaller particles emerging from the various impact events. Although our thread has always noted the possibility that multiple chunks of ice/foam hit the wing. I would also note that the impact test appears to have tested only foam and not the possibility that the object in the flight video was composed of ice AND foam. I have always conjectured that the cloud of debris in the flight film was in fact composed of ice particles.

[Thebaddog]

Has it been reported anywhere that the foam makeup had been changed in the past to make it more environmentally friendly? I heard that factoid right after the accident.

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you. I would suggest that the particles we saw were in fact rather large objects. We were seeing them in relation to a very large object at great distance. While it appeared like particles to us, I'll bet we were actually seeing significant debris. If it were truly small particles we'd probably not been able to see it.

[Arkinsaw]

I have always conjectured that the cloud of debris in the flight film was in fact composed of ice particles.

I agree, for the test to be even more accurate I think they need to get the foam down to the appropriate temperature and humidity. I, IMHO, suspect the shuttle wing damage was more extensive than we are seeing here due to ice.