Re: At mach 18...
Maybe, a space-suited EVA and some vacuum-rated gaffer tape plus some thermal tile patches would have done the tricks?
Perhaps we will ever know?
But perhaps...
Imagine if they had run an EVA and found irreparable damage?
What then?
Re-Enter or bust???
Or maybe not.
I sympathise, deeply, with the crew and relatives. I have no solutions...
If you do, please offer them.
R.I.P.