[drjoe]

"the hit was on the leading edge of the wing= 90 degree hit X mach 4 X 30 lbs."

This is so tiresome. The tank with insulation was going at Mach 4. The shuttle was going at Mach 4. The insulation breaks off and is whipped backwards by the slip-stream. It strikes the shuttle wing but NOT at a velocity of mach 4 relative to the wing. Its actual velocity could possibly be determined by knowing the frames per second of the film and the actual dimensions and geometry of the structures. Anyone here done that? No? Gee, that's what I thought.

[fooman]

You have a point here, but the foam would decel fairly quickly.

Speed doesn't kill, but sudden changes in speed might.