I don't think so.

Being the first to admit my limited knowledge of the subject, I'm pretty sure ET foam shedding has been a problem on every space shuttle launch.

I have no link to support the following, but the oxidizer and fuel tanks of the ET were not a new design to the Space Shuttle: they're based on a previous, succseseful liquid fueled booster (dang I wish I could 'member where I read this at...). The big difference between the current STS ET design and the design the ET is based on is the foam insulation around the cryogenic tanks used to be on the *inside* of the skin around the stack, and not on the outside like today.

The problem was the insulation when it was inside the ET had to almost be hand-fitted to the tanks: very expensive and very time consuming. Spraying the insulation on the outside of the booster was supposed to simplify and reduce costs.

Why the paint was originally applied (son, NASA don't take a dump without a plan...:), I'm not sure.

Doug.