[XBob]

1462 - points well taken:

"I don't see any way the wheel bay door could have come off and *any* sensors continue to operate normally with 3000 degree gases entering. Yet, telemetry reports that some sensors in the wheel bay continued ..."

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I agree, and I don't know much about the aerodynamics/thermodynamics of this. So that is a good point against the door coming off.

However, I remember during the war in Vietnam, our aircraft dropping flares at night, and they went 'pop' pop pop - and looked just like the pictures from cal/nev. Those flares were made from burning magnesium - very similar metal to aluminum. So, IMO the pops were pieces burning, and the big pop was a big piece.

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"Another explanation for something large separating from the shuttle may be the left wing glove, or portions of it coming off in pieces. It could explain sensor rise on left side of the shuttle - unconnected to the wiring of any other failed sensor. This is perhaps what the Air Force photo seems to show."

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This is the theory Wirestripper and I have come come down to, and have been trying to get people to visualize. It also goes along with the longitudinal structural strength of the frame. last night I fixed up a picture with my very limited graphics capability which will be posted as soon as I can get it posted.

Budge, have you got it available for posting here yet?

[Thud]

NASA is concerning scenarios involving detachment of the port landing gear door. See:

http://www.nasa.gov/columbia/COL_landgear_email_030212.html

http://www.nasa.gov/columbia/COL_landgear_email_030212.pdf

[Budge]

Bob, have NOT recieved it yet. Please resend to Abudge@cablelynx.com