"Joe D." wrote in message
...
"Brian Gaff" wrote in message
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Now I'm not sure about that claim that this was unknown outside Nasa.

I seem to recall an even more serious TPS problem a few years prior.
I remember seeing pictures in AW&ST. I think there was substantial
size total burn through of an elevon. The pictures looked pretty bad.
I can't remember the orbiter or flight number. Someone correct me if I'm
wrong.

Yes that was quite a while ago. It was STS 51-D. I still have the AW&ST
articles and remember it quite well because one of the main gear tires blew
out near the end of the roll out.

http://members.aol.com/WSNTWOYOU/STS16MR.HTM

I think the above is accurate.

Daniel