[Renfield]

As most of you probably have, I have been watching the films of the shuttle entering the atmosphere. One of them that was just aired on fox, zoomed in briefly and afforded a clear view of the shuttle before it broke up. It appeared to me that there was about a 20-degree yaw (meaning, that the nose was pointed about 20 degrees to the side of the flight path), which of course would explain the break-up. Has anyone considered the possibility that some malevolent adversary could have interfered with the computer data link between NASA and the shuttle?

[Cincinatus]

The Shuttle comes in on its own computer program -- it does not need to communicate with the ground.

It is more likely that some of the thermal tiles on the Orbiter came loose or broke off. The heat of re-entry then might have burned through control cables and wire bundles, rendering the Shuttle uncontrollable. Without attitude and flight control, a tumble would develop, tearing the orbiter airframe apart.

This is a very tragic day for our space program. Pray for the astronauts' families.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Just came and and learned of this event. Do you mean that there is video tape of the shuttle just before the breakup?

[Freeper Lady]

Yes. Me.