I think this has happened in the past...
And the shuttle has returned with structural damage but not catestrophic loss of the vehicle...
Maybe it happened this time and the placement of the damage was just in the wrong place at the wrong time...Anything is possible, but I'm betting it was damaged during launch...And hindsight is 20/20...So the critics will attack everything to do with the program in an attempt to gain political leverage...(Bastards)
We need to morn, regain our composure, review, learn, move the program ahead.
God help us, NASA should be stronger after its all over.
Scott