[XBob]

7:52:20 first heating comes well out over pacific

7:55:53 some things comes off over california/nevada and make flares (photo of one posted with time stamp)

7:56:20 shuttle banks left and the last sensors grouped together running from same point in the web/glove (see NASA slide #17 of 25 with dwg and sensors) at 4 corners 150 miles from albequerque - these are above and below wing skin temp sensors.

albequerque we have photo of chunk gone

08:58:39 last sensor goes off line

08:59:28 last voice transmission

08:59:32 a.m. (LOS-00:00)
Loss of signal.

[bonesmccoy]

Do you have any info on the ET insulation layers?

You seem interested in the "zippering"...an effect that has never been documented or observed on any STS mission to my knowledge.

I'm more interested in the ET insulation composition and the likelihood of NO zippering. The insulation may have damaged one or two areas enough to permit plasma to leak into the wing structure (just as you described). The argument should not hinge on "zippering or not".

It is obvious that the wing overheated. The question is the failure mode so that a better design can be created.

Regardless, if the ET insulation is falling off, that is a greater issue than the TPS. After all, the TPS flew for 100+ missions without failure.

Why is the ET insulation failing now?

Clinton Administration?