[Cboldt]

I wonder, did the shuttle crew even get informed that a massive piece of insulation had broken off the launch tank and struck the left wing leading-edge?

I think the press conference included assertions that the astronauts were asked to photograph the launch tank as it departed the shuttle, to permit the development of technical solutions to the shedding of insulation. Also asserted was that this was not the first mission that shed insulation from the launch tank. If those facts are true, one could infer that the astronauts knew that insulation was shed from the launch tank, etc.

[Stefan Stackhouse]

I think the press conference included assertions that the astronauts were asked to photograph the launch tank as it departed the shuttle, to permit the development of technical solutions to the shedding of insulation. Also asserted was that this was not the first mission that shed insulation from the launch tank. If those facts are true, one could infer that the astronauts knew that insulation was shed from the launch tank, etc.

And the guy said that, unfortunately, the film was lost in the catastrophe. Good grief, so they are telling me that with all this amazing high technology, they couldn't carry on board the same digital camera I can buy at Circuit City for $150, and download the images?