BEWARE THE EXPERTS
"The exchange began on Jan. 23, seven days into the flight, with a message from Mr. Stich, a flight director, to Colonel Husband and the pilot, Cmdr. William C. McCool of the Navy.

"This item is not even worth mentioning other than wanting to make sure that you are not surprised by it in a question from a reporter," Mr. Stich wrote.

He described what was known about the foam shedding and its effects on the reinforced carbon-carbon on the leading edge of the wing.

"Experts have reviewed the high speed photography, and there is no concern for R.C.C. or tile damage," he wrote. "We have seen this same phenomenon on several other flights, and there is absolutely no concern for entry."

The same day that Mr. Stich sent his message or the day before, he had spoken with the NASA liaison aide to the Air Force Space Command to cancel an informal request from a NASA official for satellite imagery of the shuttle on orbit." NY TIMES

And then in July:

"In that test, done on Monday at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, a chunk of insulating foam was fired at the panel, opening a gaping hole of 16 by 16 inches. Members of the independent board investigating the Columbia accident say the test validated their theory that foam shed on liftoff damaged the wing in a way that led to the loss of the shuttle and its crew on re-entry. NY TIMES