Agree with moggie about the in-flight inspection. Presumably the video of the take off had been studied while Columbia was still spaceborne and the crew should then have been advised of the detached panels and the wisdom of an inspection, JIC.
But the whole manned space programme doesn't appear to be achieving very much, does it? Just think back to 1969 and remember what hopes we had for space travel and what it might bring in the future (like now).