[XBob]

I am no expert in foam insulation. However, the pieces of external tank insulation I have examined seemed to be made of high density poly-urethane. It is designed only to keep the liquid oxygen and hydrogen insulated, not to resist re-entry.

The insulation on the shuttle was quite different, ceramics, varying from high density/temp (black on leading edges), medium density/tem (grey on bottom), very low density (white on top - like merangue on a pie), and then various types of woven and sewn 'blankets'. The holding a piece of the 'merangue' type between your fingers would put finger prints into it. I personally don't think that standing on one foot on a one foot square piece of the external tank insulation would damage it much. And the outside coating is tough.

Hurled at hundreds of mph, it probably could do some pretty good damage.

[spunkets]

Some info on the thermal protection system NASA doc

[Check6]

The accident investigation will conclude that the probably cause is tile loss secondary to impact of ice or insulation, whatever it was. Question is, with film of the launch like this available, why didn't they do a walk to check the condition of the wing? Answer: wishful thinking on the part of mission control folks.

They would have had two weeks plus to mount a rescue mission of some sort. Obviously, lots of work to be done to plug the safety holes in our Space Transportation System.

[blackie]

Thanks Bob!