[Cold Heat]

Is there proof that the object stiking the underside of the wing is insulation ? Or is it ice ? Can the main fuel tank be inspected, or has it been inspected already for insulation loss, and is the conclusion affirmative that a loss of insulation took place ?

Good question.....The answer is that they are not sure. The tank is destroyed on re-entry. The shuttle crew did take pics of the tank on separation, and NASA would know if there was damage. Unfortunately, the pics were shot with 35mm film. (hope they find it intact)

The stuff that hit the shuttle could be ice, but sure looks like insulation because of the dust. The stuff is like powder when it breaks up, and it takes little effort to break it up.

When installed on boilers and hot piping, a metal cover is put over it to keep it intact and dry, or a epoxy paper is put over it and spayed with more stuff.(epoxy)

[freepersup]

I kept watching the video and at the point where the suspect object strikes the wing, I see a diffusion of the material into a spherical, 'cloud of dust'. Or is it ice that sprays and streams off the wing into what appears to be, a plume of flame from the firing engine ?