[NELSON111]

You guys need to understand something. Even IF the foam was a precipitating factor...they did not see it until the next day when they looked at the tapes...frame by frame. You cannot see it unless you slow it down...something you cannot do "live". Therefore...all the talk about abort and RTB are meaningless in this instance because you cannot abort and RTB when you are already in orbit...which is where they were when they saw the foam impact.

[HighWheeler]

I never stated, implied, or inferred that any video was required to make the decision for RTLS.

I stated a method to prevent damage in the first place by using LE covers, and/or using accelerometer data to detect a significant impact by debris. Neither is perfect, nothing is. But I did not even refer to the video as the determining factor to execute a RTLS.

[Ronaldus Magnus]

My guess is that much more attention will be given to launch debris if damage during take off turns out to be a contributing factor to this disaster. This could be accomplished through additional, external cameras and through more extensive use of surface sensors.