Hi, Matt.
Another simple-minded calculation - -
We were talking about - -

 MM> They might not have even needed to calculate for air
 MM> resistance.  

For insulation hitting wing at 530mph (777 fps), assuming the insulation
fell off from 120 feet upstream of the orbiter's wing,

Since V**2 = 2aS,
a = v**2 /2S = 777 * 777 /(2 * 120) = 2515 ft /sec**2

Dividing by 32.2 would indicate a relative acceleration of 78 G's.
That sounds like a _lot_ - did I make an error?

Since the vehicle doesn't accelerate that much,  the falling foam
insulation must be decellerating very rapidly due to air friction.

- - -  JimH.


... Inquiring minds want to know. - Bubba
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