[XBob]

4386 - "The new ultralight tanks and some modifications on the formed ramps would eliminate this particular problem from happening again.
It is that simple!"

It really isn't that simple. Because if it were, then it would mean that NASA killed the astronauts for a very simple reason, incompetence. And it wouldn't allow them to spend all that money and time on fixes.

You need to understand NASA. Their mission is to preserve their jobs, not to get into space. If they happen to get into space, then OK, but first and foremost, mission -

"Preserve Bosses Swimming Pools".

And Burt Rutan is giving them fits right now.

[computermechanic]

I was asking about the Main Landing Gear Door Thermal Barrier because I found this interesting looking sample close to the flight path of STS-107 over California. It's ceramic with a thin glassy black coating like HRSI, but it doesn't look like it's from the average square TUFI HRSI LI900 & LI2200 (9 & 22 lbs per cu-ft) and it's heavier than water (62 lbs/cu-ft).

Are there any odd closeout areas on the shuttle (such as the MLG Door Thermal Barrier) that use black HRSI that could become this heavy?

And I do know about the HAZMAT warnings, but this has been outside washed in the rain for over a year now and probably is just a piece of somebody's coffee mug... what do you think?