[FReepaholic]

>>...High-resolution images taken from a ground-based Air Force tracking camera...<<

>>...show serious structural damage to the inboard leading edge...<<

>>...They also show the orbiter's right aft yaw thrusters firing...<<

>>...Columbia's fuselage and right wing appear normal..<<

Hmmm...the camera can see both wings, the yaw thrusters AND the fuselage...does this sound like a GROUND BASED CAMERA???

[RightOnline]

As I now understand it, the piece of "foam" that peeled off and struck the left wing during the launch phase was the size of a fairly large suitcase and as hard as a brick. Now............does anyone here know what speed the launch vehicle would have attained at 80 seconds into flight? I'm betting.........pretty damned fast.

Take something that large and as hard as a brick......slam it into ceramic tiling at that speed..........and you have damage, folks. Severe damage.

[Thud]

This is the original, detailed, story.

[cinFLA]

The ragged edge on the left leading edge, indicates that either a small structural breach -- such as a crack -- occurred, allowing the 2,500F reentry heating to erode additional structure there, or that a small portion of the leading edge fell off at that location.

NASA: "We will continue to focus on the things we cannot see." /sarcasm

[lepton]

FYI

[CyberAnt]

"the tank debris event at launch played a key role in the root cause of the accident"

If this event is proven true - I predict the envirowhackos WILL BE PUT OUT OF BUSINESS. To protect the environment at the cost of 7 people is waaaaaaay too high a price to pay.

I cannot believe that the amount of Freon previously used for the shuttle was significant enough to cause damage to the environment.

[lonestar]

A source within local law enforcement circles said this week that even though NASA and others want to collect all debris and parts to aid in the investigation the the search is also continuing for two boxes that had military and defense applications.

This on local news close to the debris search.

[CCWoody]

Bump!

[abner]

Marking to read.

[Lancey Howard]

Amazing post BUMP

[Vinnie_Vidi_Vici]

anyone have a web page I could upload some pics to so I could link them here?

[MindBender26]

Doe anyone have a hard time line re: Time from the last verbal comm from Columia, until vehicle was seen breaking up over Dallas area?

[Carry_Okie]

High-resolution images taken from a ground-based Air Force tracking camera in southwestern U.S. show serious structural damage to the inboard leading edge of Columbia's left wing, as the crippled orbiter flew overhead about 60 sec. before the vehicle broke up over Texas killing the seven astronauts on board Feb. 1.

FYI

[Fury]

I'd sure like to see these images. Let's hope they are released soon.

[ampat]

Given the detailed telemetry concerning flight control surface and rocket firings to correct the reentry attitude, I wonder if NASA has reported if any unusual attitude corrections were noted after the foam impact after launch.

[Terriergal]

Are they gonna show us the pic referred to? Or am I just blind?

[Brett66]

Better put this photo on this thread since it's already on another one:

[Terriergal]

I guess I must be blind - but they coulda pointed out just what on the pic we were looking at. It's not like it's all that obvious for us laypeople!