Roger Stokes wrote:

Here's a thought for future space shuttle launches...Spray the leading edges
of the wings with the same foam as the tank. During launch, it would provide
cushioning against impact of breakaway foam from the tank,

Why, necessairily?

It doesn't follow that tank foam is a good shock absorber, and at the
impact velocities in question, it may be that nothing is.

during reentry,
it would burn off rapidly and not affect aerodynamic performance during
landing.

...Or tell me why it won't work...