Posts recap:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/833908/posts?page=165#165
an interesting coincidence:
apollo 204 fire -- january 29, 1967
challenger disaster -- january 28, 1986 (17 years ago)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/831121/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/831409/posts
columbia disaster -- february 1, 2003
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/833908/posts?page=181#181
CNN anchor said the Columbia was near Palestine, Texas.
Radar imaging with place names here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/833908/posts?page=1417#1417
Note the tight debris field at the beginning of the loop indicating the high rate of speed. If there are more intact, heavier remains, they will be found in LA. As the loop progresses, the lighter material sinks into the lower atmosphere (prob < 60K ft) and the upper air wind starts to spread it perpendicular to the original path. Forecast winds at 53,000 ft over Shreveport are 280 deg at 53 kts (pretty light for this time of year). The debris spread matches that expectation.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/833908/posts?page=1461#1461
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/833908/posts?page=337#337
Ilan Ramon, a colonel in Israel's air force and former fighter pilot, became the first man from his country to fly in space, and his presence resulted in an increase in security, not only for Columbia's January 16 launch, but also for its landing.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/833908/posts?page=748#748
Participated in the bombing of an Iraqi nuclear reactor in 198
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/833908/posts?page=444#444
The left wing was damaged during launch by a piece of insulation foam that detached from the main fuel tank. The last voice communications from the crew involved a tire pressure message. Communications were then garbled and static. Contact with the shuttle was lost at about 9 a.m. EST.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts107/status.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/833908/posts?page=1861#1861
There is nothing on earth that can fly that high (200,000+ ft - 38 miles) other than a space vehicle. There is nothing on earth that can fly that fast (12,000+ MPH) other than a space vehicle. No missiles. No aircraft
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/833957/posts?page=357#357
The president has spoken to the head of NASA, Tom Ridge and his national security team. Flag is at half staff at the White House. The President will speak to the nation but a time is not known.