Had the Columbia crew known of damage, though, there was probably little they could have done about it, said Sally Ride, America's first woman in space and a member of the commission that investigated the Challenger disaster. The Challenger shuttle exploded during liftoff 17 years ago.
Sally Ride tells me something different here. Who am I to believe? I'd appreciate any clarification you can provide. Thanks.
Source: http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/news/020403_nw_theory.html
I'll go with the director.