[The Iguana]

No EVA suits were onboard.

There is no such thing as an on-orbit tile repair kit. Everyone of the 30,000 or so tiles is custom-made for its location. There is no adhesive that can be used in the cold and vaccum of space and yet will survive the heat of re-entry.

If there is blame to attach it seems to be here. To the casual observer this is an astounding revelation.

No EVA suits. No means to repair the heat shield.

Amazing.

[Trust but Verify]

That's why 'casual observers' are just that. They don't know all the facts.

[July 4th]

If there is blame to attach it seems to be here. To the casual observer this is an astounding revelation. No EVA suits. No means to repair the heat shield. Amazing.

If you knew what a big deal/big pain in the a$$ it is to deal with the tiles on the ground, you'd understand why it couldn't be done in space.