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The "shuttle image" appears to be stable in a 90-degree starboard yaw mode (sideways) with the wings level for at least five seconds. Wheras such could occur outside the atmosphere, at this point of extreme air drag (Mach 18 in the plasma zone) aerodynamic stability in such a mode could not exist -- even for a few milliseconds. The shuttle would instantly tumble about the roll axis and disintegrate in a matter of seconds.

First: you've got to realize that it's behind a big-ass shock wave: it's not simple aerodynamics. It's hard to say what would happen to the vehicle within the shock cone, especially if the vertical stabilizer is off, and maybe the wingtips, too. I've seen videos of re-entering External Tanks -- far more fragile things -- that did all sorts of funny things before they broke up.

It is indisputable, however, that the thing came apart very soon after this video was taken, so the only issue here is whether it can stay relatively intact for a few seconds in this attitude. The ET videos tell me that seconds is not unrealistic.

I've already pointed out the OMS pods and body flap (no main engines to be seen....), not to mention the unmistakable shape of the vehicle itself.

I'm inclined to believe this really is the Shuttle, and not finnman's optical illusion.

Read my #2. The fact that the bright (flare) shape of the "tail object" is always identical in shape to the bright upper triangle of the so-called "rear-view shuttle" confirns that the whole thing is a camera aperture flare artifact.

You are fooling yourself (as I was for a while). Go look at FreedomCalls' #126 on this thread -- and then re-read point 2 of my #108 here. That ain't any a$$-on shuttle you're looking at -- it is a camera-aperture distortion artifact of a bright point light source!