SciGuy: Columbia's demise. In graphic (but necessary) detail.

What it has reminded me of, was that the Canadian built arm or manipulator was not on board due to cargo requirements so they had no way of inspecting the damage. The roll maneuver within plain site of the ISS was not implemented until after this terrible tragedy. It also reminds me that the Israeli fighter pilot was part of precision flight of jet fighters, on radar a signature through international air space as an errant jet airliner, that bombed a French built nuclear reactor in Iraq suspected of making nuclear weapons in 1981. His notebook, which was recovered from the "Columbia" debris in Texas is being preserved and treated.

SciGuy: Columbia's demise. In graphic (but necessary) detail.