[XBob]

1624 - "What happened after 8:52 is pretty moot as it all began minutes earlier over the pacific."

The first indicators of anything out of whak was at 8:52:20, the first anomalous temp rise, well out over the pacific.

"In all the graphics posted here I have yet to see the opening in the wing where the strut rod that attaches the shuttle to the ET mounts to the air frame."

the forward attach point is right behind the front wheel well.


" This is important because Dittemore mentioned it in day one briefing that the foam may have hit the fairing around the strut and damaged it."

Looking at the video from the ice team, There is a possible initial glancing hit of the 'foam' in approximately near the forward attach point, however, there was no apparent damage, or reports of damage or out of whak sensors or photos, or anything of any problems in this area in anything I have seen.

[Budge]

I found some drawings, albeit old ones of attach points and have them bookmarked. I'll look for them in the morning and try to post them then.