[Budge]

Video in slo-mo of ice hitting wing on lift-off.

http://www.floridatoday.com/columbia/debrisvideo.htm

[DoughtyOne]

One comment this guy has made several times now, at least once yesterday and once today, it that they conisered the hit to the left wing and "didn't think" it was a problem.

He now seems rather dismissive of questions regarding inspecting or viewing the wing closely to see if there was damage.

In light of this catastrophic failure, the comment "we didn't think" it was a problem kindof leaves me cold.

If damage could have been detected before reentry, the shuttle could have used it's fuel to maintain orbit for for extra time. I believe there was another shuttle scheduled for about the third week of February. Dismissing the chance to view the shuttle using the Hubble or something else, seems carless in the extreme to me.

[CedarDave]

...hitting the wing...

Edge or bottom? NASA spokesman keeps refering to bottom of orbiter and how just the process of inspecting by spacewalk could cause more damage than any that might be present already. Seems like its the bottom of the wing they are concerned about. (Can't look at video while listening to briefing -- will crash my dial up connection).