I'm somewhat skeptical about the claim of satellite to satellite imaging between an imagery satellite in sun-synchronous orbit (virtually all of them are in that type of orbit - roughly 96 degrees inclination) and the Columbia which was in a 28 degree inclination orbit. The relative closure rates would be enormous, making detailed imagery very difficult. I've seen one published satellite-to-satellite photo (beyond that test on STS-7 with a payload deployed from the orbiter) and that was very carefully coordinated. I doubt the relative inclination between the satellites was almost 70 degrees.

Having seen firsthand what AMOS can do and having visited the site, I suspect that was the sensor used to check the tiles. It's resolution is amazing.

As to the photos no longer being available on the net, well, that did happen over 20 years ago.