[unspun]

I'm told that something hit the left wing, during takeoff. Anyone know about this?

[Chancellor Palpatine]

I think some tiles had popped off - if I remember right, all kinds of crap starts flying around during liftoff, and remember, too, this craft was aged.

[unspun]

Left wing damaged at take-off:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/833982/posts?page=3#3

[Joe Hadenuf]

Yes, they are saying left wing was hit......

[X-FID]

I'm told that something hit the left wing, during takeoff. Anyone know about this?

I really believe this was the cause, but once lift-off occurs they can't turn back, and they continued the mission, and completed it with the knowledge that there may be a problem on re-entry.

Foam insulation from the large fuel tank hit the LEFT wing during takeoff. So far, everything points to the LEFT wing having problems during the break-up.