[#3Fan]

CNN has done a VERY GOOD job of showing other objects hitting the left wing during liftoff. The object they show is NOT the foam and it is white. The first thought is ice. Miles O'Brien (sp) has done an outstanding job of finding that out. Too bad NASA did not see it.

Yes, it sprayed on impact with the wing. I wouldn't think foam would spray. Looks like to me that a large chunk of ice damaged some tiles on take-off, this damage caused more tiles to fall off over California leading to burn-through at the descent's maximum-heat phase over Texas over-heating and popping the tires early in the burn-through then on to catastrophic break-up. This is my guess until any more evidence shows otherwise.

(We are simply discussers, it's OK to guess. Directed to some here complaining of these discussions)

[A Citizen Reporter]

"this damage caused more tiles to fall off over California leading"

How do you know that these tiles fell off over California?

[Rebelbase]

I'm with you on your assesment at #114.

[Concerned]

#3FAN WROTE: "Yes, it sprayed on impact with the wing. I wouldn't think foam would spray. Looks like to me that a large chunk of ice damaged some tiles on take-off, this damage caused more tiles to fall off over California leading to burn-through at the descent's maximum-heat phase over Texas over-heating and popping the tires early in the burn-through then on to catastrophic break-up. This is my guess until any more evidence shows otherwise. "

Sounds reasonable to me---on all counts.