On Tue, 26 Jul 2005 18:25:36 -0500, Jorge R. Frank wrote:

"Helios" wrote in
:

I guess the piece coming off the tank is no big deal, but watching the
slo mo, that very large white piece that appears half way down the top
edge of the shuttle ( on the left of the pic) at about T+3 secs from
launch, and just maybe clearing the tail fin looks significant.
Anyone agree, or is it it nothing..?

Most likely it's a paper cover from one of the forward RCS jets. They used
to use butcher paper, but those would stay on too long during ascent and
come loose at high speeds, potentially striking and damaging the forward
windows. They now use Tyvek for the covers, and include a "drag flap" so
that they come off sooner during ascent, at much lower speed, so that they
can't damage anything. The downside is that you get a lot more "debris" for
people to look at in the video.

Or, a seagull.

http://www.local6.com/technology/4772658/detail.html

--
Craig Fink
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