[John Jamieson]

True the main tiles are black on white, but the leading edge is all black, carbon on carbon. It probably didn't start on the main tiles.

I just found a paper on reentry heating. Peak occurs at 18.03 mach ...... sounds familar. This vehicle was just a little too heavy?

[WoofDog123]

Dow Jones is now saying NASA says there was a 60° rise in the mid-fuselage in 5 minutes, followed by an increased sign of drag that caused the flight control computer to make an adjustment to the flight pattern.

[WoofDog123]

Do you know approximately how much extra oxygen and water a shuttle carries over the planned mission time? I know it is at least a few days, given the landing window issues, but it is extensively longer (i.e. weeks?)