Columbia and insulation question.
Just like everyone, I've seen the video of the foam coming off the tank and hitting the Shuttle. And I've read that the insulation hit the wing at anywhere from 500 mph to 1500 mph.
Knowing that the only relevant speed is the relative speed, how could the Shuttle be anywhere near that much faster than the foam in the length of time between it's release and its hitting the wing?
Even considering the Shuttle is accelerating, the foam is not and is subject to air resistance, any of those numbers seem fantastic.
Nothing urgent. I'm just curious, if anyone happens to know.
Arf