In article ,
"Jorge R. Frank" wrote:

Taken together, the above facts suggest 1) a correlation between angle of
impact and energy transfer; i.e. a corner hit results in the foam absorbing
more energy and disintegrating while causing only minor RCC damage, while a
full-side hit transfers more energy to the RCC and causes more damage, and
2) that the foam tests have successfully "bracketed" the probable damage
seen on the actual flight, and that the foam that hit STS-107 struck at an
angle somewhere in between a "corner-only" hit and a full-side hit.

I think one of the factors you need to consider when examining visuals
of these foam impact test results is the fact that these results are for
foam that is not rotating. I understand the impact tests have been
conducted at slightly higher velocity in order to compensate for the
lack of rotational energy. However, rotation of the foam at impact
would (it seems to me) impart greater lateral velocity to the fragments
after impact, thus resulting in the more "shower-like" spray of debris
seen on the actual launch footage. Just something to consider if/when
people comment that the latest test results don't look like the launch
films.

--
Herb Schaltegger, Esq.
Chief Counsel, Human O-Ring Society
"I was promised flying cars! Where are the flying cars?!"
~ Avery Brooks