To: exnavy
Turbulence is a concern, but I think it might have caused ice to fall off, not tiles. The tiles are stuck on there real good.
![](http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20030204/i/1044319075.3892396127.jpg)
A piece of what is believed to be the underside and rear of the left wing of the space shuttle Columbia lies
against a fence near Nacadoches, Texas, February 3, 2003. During liftoff a piece of insulation hit Columbia's
left wing and NASA officials said Monday that it could have smashed into the some of the more than 20,000
thermal tiles covering the craft. REUTERS/Rick Wilking
![](http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20030204/i/1044318061.3959496793.jpg)
![](http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20030203/i/1044315421.3221299280.jpg)
![](http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20030203/capt.1044316601.shuttle_debris_txdm1112.jpg)
![](http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20030204/i/1044317438.4026540127.jpg)
A closeup view of tiles on what is believed to be the underside and rear of the left wing of the space shuttle
Columbia near Nacadoches, Texas February 3, 2003. During liftoff a piece of insulation hit Columbia's left
wing and NASA officials said Monday that it could have smashed into the some of the more than 20,000
thermal tiles covering the craft to protect it from burning up on reentry. REUTERS/Rick Wilking
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