[_Jim]

The S manuevers used for braking are up to 80-degrees to the orbiter's glide path. I believe the tail broke off during a R-hand S-manuever leaving the shuttle stuck facing south, without the ability to turn back into the glide path -as the video depicts.

This does not jive with the telemetry data NASA apparently received ... the FIRST signs of trouble were EXCESSIVE temps recorded in several systems in the left wing. Shortly after acknowledging 'trouble' with these temp readings comms and telemetry were lost.

CONJECTURE about the tail coming off, based on dubious internet video interpretations is, well, next to quackery ...

[LibKill]

Videotape showed a large piece of something coming off the orbiter immediately prior to its mid-air breakup.

Right now, that's all we've got.

CONJECTURE about the tail coming off, based on dubious internet video interpretations is, well, next to quackery ...

I'm with you, we really don't know what happened. In sad truth, we may never know. The evidence has been scattered over two states and even if we found every last bit, it still may not answer the question, 'what happened'.

Such is life.

FReegards, FRiend.

[Justa]

I don't see how the 2 sources are at odds. Would you expect NASA to base their initial comments upon their telemetry data or upon a news station's video clip? Since we have both, we can use both. Why shouldn't we? I see the video sequence quite accurately matching information from NASA regarding burn-up starting on the left side.

I'm confident that when this video is enhanced there will be no doubt. I have a frame frozen here which I refer to. There are others like it of similar or lesser quality. It's quite clear and quite chilling. The tail is clearly visible. It is seperated from the orbiter (still intact) and perpindicular to the field of view. The black rudder markings are even visible on it. My post (#8) pretty much sums up my take. The information is there. The film simply requires study.