[Cboldt]

I think you are missing the point. NASA knew that the wing had been POTENTIALLY damaged during launch. They didn't even bother to go outside the ship to go look at it? That's ridiculous.

The wings are potentially damaged at each launch (seagulls, ice from launch tank, insulation has come off launch tank at least once before, and directly on-point, analysis of damage after landing reached conclusion that magnitude of damage from insulation fall-off posed no risk of serious consequence); so the event that would trigger special examination is not POTENTIAL damage. Your tires are potentially damaged each time you drive, and failure of a tire can result in death; do you check you tires each time after you drive?

Your position might be correct, but you need to add some particulars to your argument. POTENTIAL damage is a bit vague; but we can agree that the consequences are possible death (as with damaged tires).

[Ramtek57]

They should have done a space walk outside to check for damage. And if there were some, they could have docked at the space station to have repairs done or send another shuttle up to get them.