-=> Quoting JIM HOLSONBACK to ALL <=-

 JH> Unfortunately, I didn't see anything about the rationale for the 500+
 JH> mph impact.  In any event, it is clear that the shuttle was moving out
 JH> smartly, and the lightweight insulation must have slowed down a lot
 JH> due to air friction before it struck the wing of the orbiter.

The insulation wasn't falling that fast. But the orbiter was moving up
at (as you said) "a fair clip". So it was actually more a case of the
wing hitting the insulation rather than the other way around.


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