Glad to hear that you and yours made it through o.k. What a terrible sight it was. It's somewhat sad that these missions are taken forgranted nowadays. Usually limited to a passing mention in the news. Just goes to show that these missions are still teetering on the edge of disaster at any given moment.
Yes. Usually the danger is in the takeoffs on these flights, unlike airline flights where landings are more treacherous. Liftoffs are the equivalent of riding on a hydrogen bomb I think. I'm sure once the investigations are done there will be even more safety procedures and checks or whatever.
I wonder how long before they will resume the program?
Here is an interesting site that shows the 'knock' on the left wing during the liftoff that may have caused tile damage. Oh, btw...isn't it interesting that it is the LEFT wing that is highly suspect? We on FreeRepublic.com have know the dangers of the Left-wing for a long time ! (Sorry, I couldn't resist that. I've been waiting a couple of days to use that !)
Very close-up, slo-mo of the Columbia launch debris
And here's another video...
Video link: Shuttle over D/FW, Texas