[sam_paine]

Sad indeed. Sad for the humanity, certainly. The loss of the crew is immense.
 
But what is so compelling to me is the reaction time of man vs. machine.
 
This may sound new age gaga, but to me, the onboard computers/systems were designed with the "soul" of human programming/design (if short then fail, if fail then bypass, etc.) Together in the massive system, the little bits sing together in concert.
 
So many successive "decisions" being made by Columbia, as the situation worsened: Nerve endings (sensors) melting away in the trauma. Autonomic muscle (elevon/RCS) systems trying to recover the body's faltering step like a soldier shot in the leg.
 
Columbia "knew" more than any human that it was hurt. And it knew it so much faster. It grunted the tell-tale telemetry and finally yelped a few alarms. The crew, like that soldier's brain, was ultimately helpless, as were all the humans below.
 
I'm sure most would disagree with me, but I see a spirit of a sort, a soul if you will, in the Columbia's last dance. She did everything she could to survive, and to deliver her crew safely, but fate overwhelmed her.
 
God rest all of them.

[Cold Heat]

Those were some interesting thoughts about a computer program.

Many of us who have written logic programs for controllers have a similar view sometimes. They are in fact a extension of thought, forecasting, anticipating, measuring, timing and reacting to inputs of the sensors.

Technically, you can fly a rock with the electronics.

[brityank]

Well said

Amen to them all.

[Thud]

Husband and Cool apparently tried to take control 15.5 seconds before breakup.

[John Jamieson]

Very well put; I agree so much!

John