[dep]

Could the onboard computers be hacked?

Always a possibility but it could also be some bad coding or just a hairline crack that let go.

sadly, nasa's software security has historically been just awful -- with things like changes taking place underway during tests and so on. though it is only a slight possibility, it is certainly a finite one that somebody screwed with this. the idea posted earlier that a landing gear door came open is by far the most consistent explanation offered so far; the question then comes down as to whether this was a hardware or software failure.

dep

[Arkinsaw]

with things like changes taking place underway during tests

I've never worked in any shop where code changes weren't made during testing and none of them went back and reran the entire test plan after each fix. Theoretically you could be in testing forever.

I am certain that NASA has more rigorous testing criteria but what you say is definitely a possibility.

[CyberAnt]

"landing gear door"

Interesting ...?? I had not heard that report so far.