[1Old Pro]

Sadly...even if true, there is almost nothing that could have been done once launched. I hope we can learn for the future.

Probably true, getting another shuttle up there for a transfer would have had a time problem. If NASA believed there may have been a problem, then why didn't they have made a serious attempt to photograph its re-entry?

[Mamzelle]

No pictures, no proof. See no evil.

[Freedom4US]

"If NASA believed there may have been a problem, then why didn't they have made a serious attempt to photograph its re-entry?"

This is what bothers me. The premeier space agency in the world is asking for hobbyists and amateurs to provide video and still photos of re-entry. WTF???

In any case, the crew should have been informed (they were afaik) and some sort of inspection should have been performed either by - remote camera, or EVA - _something_ - anything - other than playing roman candle over the western US and Texas. While no astronaut, I crewed thousands of hours on aircraft and when something ain't right, I was never afraid to speak out - sometimes forcefully - and it helped more than once.

"There's nothing they could have done about it, no repairs possible." - that's not good enough.