CJ> But again, what do I know about space vehicles? ;-) 

Apprently not a great deal. The heat problem is during descent
not during the takeoff. At takeoff heat is not one of their
problems. Projectiles they do not intend to bring back down
have no 'tiles' on them. :-) 

   But any tiles lost at takeoff would affect the descent.  I have
no idea what was lost at takeoff and I not sure at this point that
NASA knows either.  They seemed to be pretty sure that they lost
some soft insulation.

   But here we go again ;-).  We seemed to have strayed off topic.

    Later, 
      Charles

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