It goes all the way down...

[strredwolf]

ZDNet got detailed closeups of the Endeavour's damage tiles.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/emergingtech/?p=662

I may be outside NASA's items, but that's a solid case for PATCH THAT THING NOW!!! and DON'T LAND YET!

Comments

[kazriko.livejournal.com]

Uh huh. And?

What I'm saying is that if you put the same kind or another kind of foam above (or below, depending on your perspective) the tiles to take the damage of the foam from the tanks... Some foam that will easily burn off or be removable later.

[kesarra.livejournal.com]

It's not a good idea to shed such foam in space. Shedding it while leaving or entering the atmosphere can change the aerodynamics of the craft. You really don't want to change the aerodynamics in the middle of a reentry.

[kazriko.livejournal.com]

But it's OK to shed it on a fuel tank that is burning up on reentry?