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Nor am I an expert. I didn't give the burst tire much thought at the time. Seeing where the strike was marked on the grid paper raised the question with me just now, especially when combined with the knowledge (theory) that when whatever happened, it was rapid and severe.

Of course it goes without saying that at 12,000 - 15,000 mph an uh-oh is going to be bad.

No proof or facts to say- I think a tire burst. Just playing what if. Would a burst tire blow out the bottom of the wing ? If so, it would create a hell of a drag problem. There are sensor indications that the ship rolled or there was a yaw- first left then right. Just wondering...

I keep thinking about minor sensor changes then, (no further warning) all data is lost. I presume the shuttle was destroyed in mere seconds, following the 'event' and then the drop off of all data occurs.

So... a burst tire... blowing out the bottom of the wing... creating tremendous drag (gaping hole / hanging debris) shuttle rolls / yaws left... auto pilot compensates / over-compensates... shuttle rolls / yaws right... exposes unprotected fuselage to intense re-entry heat... shuttle disintegrates.

Just horsing around with ideas. Flame retardent suit is on and all systems functioning.

Flame retardent suit isn't necessary as far as I'm concerned. :)

The only thing about the burst tire theory is the sensors. It would seem that a sensor would have indicated a rise in preasure. even if it were a fraction of a second before it would have burst.

I could be wrong, naturally, but that's what I think.

As slowly as the temps rose, it looks like a very fine crack might have been in the wheel door allowing that rise until t got too hot. Then all hell broke loose. But what do I know. Sigh.

452-"So... a burst tire... blowing out the bottom of the wing... creating tremendous drag (gaping hole / hanging debris) shuttle rolls / yaws left... auto pilot compensates / over-compensates... shuttle rolls / yaws right... exposes unprotected fuselage to intense re-entry heat... shuttle disintegrates. "

glad you are coming up with what I have been trying to say for days.

So... a burst tire... blowing out the bottom of the wing... creating tremendous drag

I heard, early on, that the tires are not normally pressurized (in order to prevent damage from an explosion). Does anyone know at what point in the mission the tires are inflated?