Can I thank those of you who know so much more about the Shuttle than I do for some very informative postings.
Its a pity that the media does'nt have the same knowledge base available.
Obviously the majority of contributors to PPRUNE are from general/commercial aviation. So perhaps we struggle ( a little) to come to terms with what may well turn out to be a small failure causing such an accident.
I can still remember the Apollo 13 crew being able, on their departure from the command module being able to swing round in their re-entry vehicle to actually see the damage that had caused the problem. To have the Shuttle crew not being able to inspect (via cameras or a space walk) any possible damage surprised me.
After all (as someone suggested) if there was a problem with tiles (if that ends ut being the cause) there could have during a space walk been the chance to effect a "CAT Q I landing" repair.
Although this accident is very sad I still remember a slip in Tampa when we drove across Florida to watch a midnight launch (of the same shuttle). Quite an occasion, but what amazed me was the link via the car radio to the mission control RT feed.
As we watched the launch we listened to the exchanges ( in the first minute after lift-off) between the crew and launch control as numerous AC and DC electric busbars failed with finally the main rocket nozzle directional control reverting to the standby (alternate) signalling.
Throughout the exchanges I should think the EICAS (Engine Indicating, Crew Alerting System for non-Boeing drivers) and the systems panel must have been lit up like a christmas tree!
The exchanges were as if they were in a fixed base (not even full flight) simulator!
The memories of these cool and calm exchanges over the radio were as impressive as the visual spectacle.
They, together with their collegues sadly lost over Texas, are truly special people. I salute them all.