[Carry_Okie]

Have you ever taken a photograph where the light is stronger on one side of the object?

I don't buy that in this case. First, it is too asymmetrical. Second, it's on the same side as the reported damage during launch, indeed the wing root is precisely where the foam struck. Third, that doesn't explain the debris trail.

Mr. Doughty, what do you think of the pictures in #283 and the explanation in #292?

[Lady Jag]

Check this out on another thread, then. Doesn't the plane in the air look asymmetrical?

[DoughtyOne]

Well I think you've touched on obvious questions that are reasonable to raise in light of the photographic evidence.

I'm not as comfortable making extrapolations about the nose or side, as I am the front wing area.  There is clearly distress in that area.  A debris trail is clear.  Wing compromise is a given.  Heat buildup in trapped air at the leading edge seems evident.

I don't see any residual debris coming off the nose or side of the shuttle.  This leads me to question the true value of the photographic evidence in that area.  I do see a somewhat faint shadow on the right of the shuttle photo, leading me to question if that isn't a hint that the side of the shuttle is minimally exposed to the camera lens.  If so, the angle might cause the right side outline to be somewhat distorted.  I will admit, the wings don't seem to verify this perception.

If that right side (of the photo) does show shuttle side, you may be seeing the outline of the tile area exagerated in the photo.  Note where the bulge out (photo right) just behind the nose cone, may possibly be an area where tiles go farther up on the orbiter.  Thus, a slight off-center view of the orbiter might make the photo look like a buldge, when what you're really seeing is more tiles.

If there are clearer versions of this photograph, they should be made public.

Let me search for some photos I saw the other day.  If I can find them I'll come back for additional comments.

[DoughtyOne]

You mentioned yaw thrusters in your comments. There is some bleeding of fuel in the front of the orbiter before reentry. I believe the yaw thrusters are drained as a safety issue, wanting to eliminate fuel in that area. Look, perhpas someone with nore knowledge in this area can explain exactly what is drained, and from which forward system. I'm only trying to relate and make sense out of what I read.