[bonesmccoy]

dittos. but we have the benefit of 20/20 hindsight.

It's far harder to predict the event given a scant film and little other data.

[freepersup]

I know- it's a bit unfair to all concerned (Monday morning quarterback-ing).

Someone here (at FR) said that with the huge number of redundant systems designed, some margins of error are still razor thin. It is a credit to the men and women working on the orbiters and rockets, and a credit to the men and women that operate them, that so little has gone wrong up to this point.

The tiles represent a catch 22. It could be said that they are the shuttle's achilles heel, due to their fragile properties.

On the other hand, the tiles represent a technological breakthrough, allowing a reuseable orbiter with a contrary aerodynamic design, the dual ability to withstand the heat of re-entry and maintain rudimentary flight capabilities.

Murphy's law strikes again.