40 hours after Columbia had launched is when the NASA techs claim to have become aware of the damage. My plan is predicated on NASA erring on the side of caution and preparing Atlantis to go up less than two days after the Columbia had launched. Is it correct to assume Columbia would have had enough air by the point Atlantis would have reached her?
40 hours after Columbia had launched is when the NASA techs claim to have become aware of the damage
This is incorrect. At this afternoon's press conference, we learned that after launch, tests were done using MULTIPLE parameter's, including weight/distance/impact angles, and the damage was thought to be inconsequential using the most extreme parameters. It also was stated at the news conference today, that the 'tile' identified at launch, as hitting the left wing is not even confirmed. Not even the 'color' of the object which flew off.