[HighWheeler]

Notice that the image is almost symmetrical about the vertical.

This is not part of the shuttle problem, it is a problem with the focus. If you watch the video, you can see the cameraman re-focus immediately after this moment, and the flaring dis-appears.

If this was going 12,500 mph the flames and debris would be streched out to one side, and the leading edge would be sheared to the back.

[Alberta's Child]

See my comments in post #57. This image is NOT symmetrical about the Y-axis -- there is clearly a narrow stream emanating from the top of the image (the "rear" of the shuttle, if it is pointing away from the camera) and streaming away to the right.