[PatriotGames]

This caused significant damage to the protective tiles of the orbiter. Foam cause damage to a ceramic tile?!

Have you ever been riding in an open vehicle at 70 mph and get hit in the face by a mosquito? I have. I was almost knocked unconscious.

I was riding in a boat going only 40 mph and was hit by a cricket. THAT required stitches to my chin.

Foam hitting the tiles would be disastrous at Mach 2 - 4. However, on the video it doesn't look like foam. It looks like ice which would be even more disastrous.

[Jael]

It's a quote from the guy who investigated the Columbia foam problem.