[Wurlitzer]

One of the few things we do know is that the break up was not instantaneous. Minutes transpired with temperature sensors detecting something was amiss. If a urine ball or something hit the wing of the shuttle I would have thought at least one communication to Houston would have been "what the f@#K was that". Even in space, collision with the shuttle would have created sound inside.

[r9etb]

If a urine ball or something hit the wing of the shuttle I would have thought at least one communication to Houston would have been "what the f@#K was that". Even in space, collision with the shuttle would have created sound inside.

Not necessarily. During a burn the Shuttle uses the primary RCS thrusters for attitude control. When they fire, the sound is described as "like a howitzer going off." Probably not as loud, of course, but it's a big boom, potentially accompanied by a shudder.

IIRC, the OMS firings have a low rumble.

A ball of ice hitting a wing at low speed wouldn't be all that loud, and may have any number of common explanations if it was heard.

As the only ones with an active A/G link, the "WTF" comments would have to come from Commander and/or Pilot, and they're farther away than anybody (and they're also busy watching their displays.....)