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

[bibliophage.livejournal.com]

I actually have a shuttle tile in a bag somewhere around here. They're _soft_. Feels almost like chalk.

What I've read is that NASA thinks it's safe for the _crew_ for the Endeavour to land, but that it might end up causing some structural damage to the shuttle. Considering how dangerous a spacewalk is considered, they're trying to determine if the potential shuttle damage is worth the walk.

Basically, there's an aluminum pad underneath the tile, that actually distributes the heat. The tiles are somewhat ablative, to shed heat through throwing off particles. (I could be blowing smoke out my ass on that one, however).

(Note how the tile is gouged, not chipped)